Some fishermen at Chokor have backed the ban on fishing, saying the move will help replenish fish stock in the country’s waters.
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Naa Afoley Quaye at a press meeting last Friday, announced government’s decision to enforce a one-month ban (August to September) on all fishing activities in Ghana to increase fish stock within the period.
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The decision has not gone down well with some fisher folks; some are calling for a reversal of the decision because they were not given prior notice. The minority has also kicked against the move.
However, spokesperson for the Chorkor fishermen, Nii Clottey, said the ban is a step in the right direction since it will increase fish stock within the period.
“The Government’s directive is a good move. It’s not true we are in support of the minority’s views on the ban,” Nii Clottey stated.
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Nii Clottey observed that some fisher folks visited some officials of the then NDC government to map out strategies to protect fishes in the sea and create enough stock for consumption, but they were turned down.
“We went to them [NDC government] to deliberate on how to increase fish stock but they didn’t listen to us, resulting in our current predicament. Today, a government is here to support us and you want us to follow your demonstration against this good measure? Never!” Nii Clottey stressed.
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“It’s good they are demonstrating, but we are not in support,” he said.
Nii Clottey further advised other fisher folks in the country to strictly adhere to the position taken by the government to help conserve fish stock in Ghana’s waters.