The people of Jamestown in Accra are still engaged in fishing activities despite the two-month ban of industrial trawling announced by the government a week ago.
Ghana on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 kick-started the two-month closed fishing season for all industrial trawlers operating in Ghanaian waters.
The ban, which ends on March 31, is to help in reducing the excessive pressure on and over-exploitation of fish stocks, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development said in a statement issued in Accra.
The statement directed owners, operators and masters of industrial trawlers to comply with the declared closed season or face hefty fines.
It warned that violating directive shall attract fines ranging between 500,000 dollars and 2 million dollars, as well as forfeiture of the entire catch, fishing gear or vessel to the state.
The ministry expects none of the over 80 trawlers to operate in Ghanaian waters during the closed season.
However, the fisherfolks at Jamestown say they are unaware of the temporary ban. A visit by 3FM to coastal community showed the people were still engaged in their fishing activities.
Chief fisherman for the Jamestown Fisher Folks Association, Numo Oblittey Tsulu said they are yet to be informed about the development, adding that fishing continues unabated for fisher folks in James town.
He said: “We are not aware of any such directive, but if it for those who do pair trawling, then it is a goods initiative by government”.
He has meanwhile appealed to other fishing communities to desist from using crook means of fishing.
“It is good to adopt technology, but we should not use the illegal or unacceptable means for fishing”, he added.
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