Premix fuel, pair-trawling still problematic – Fishermen
Pair trawling and difficulties associated with the acquisition of premix fuel by fishers remain a challenge, particularly in the Central and Western Regions, in spite of efforts made by successive governments to reverse the situation.
Nii Abeo Kyerekuanda IV, Executive Secretary of Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, who made the observation on Thursday called on the Government to establish a Committee of Inquiry to address the recurrent problems in the fishing industry once and for all.
He was speaking to journalists at the end of the launch of the fibre glass boats and canoes project in Accra.
The project is being facilitated by Ghana-Egypt Fibre Glass Industry Company.
Nii Kyerekuanda alleged that some individuals hoards the premix fuel and later sell the petroleum product to fishers at a higher price.
He claimed that the product is delivered to areas that have no fishing communities.
Nii Kyerekuanda raised the alarm that the fishing industry is near collapse.
He said artisan fishing which contributed to 70 per cent of the total catch of fishes in the country is in dire straits.
Artisan fishing is any kind of small-scale, low-technology, commercial or subsistence fishing practices.
The practice is particularly among coastal or island ethnic groups that use conventional techniques such as rod and tackle, arrows and harpoons, throw nets and drag nets, and traditional fishing boats.
Nii Kyerekuanda expressed worry about the use of unorthodox methods of fishing, which includes use of light, dynamite and chemical substances such as carbide to fish.
He attributed the low and dwindling fishing stock in the country’s ocean to the improper methods used for fishing.
Mr Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry gave the assurance that his Ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development to support the fishers to acquire the fibre glass canoes.
He said his sector Ministry would set up a workshop for building and repairing of canoes.
Mr Vanderpuye expressed Government’s appreciation to Egypt for the support and trade relations.
Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development appealed to management of the Ghana-Egypt Fibre Glass Industry Company to consider the purchasing powers of fishers to determine an appropriate price for the canoes.
He urged the fishers to use environmentally-acceptable and healthy methods for fishing to protect the ecosystem.
Mr Benedict Lamptey, International Sales Director of Ghana-Egypt Fibre Glass Industry Company said the fibre glass canoes were designed and constructed using original resin materials with a guarantee life span of 20 years.
“Fibre glass products cannot corrode, rust or rot, therefore applying the fibre glass boats and canoes in the fishing business means that there will be reduced boat disasters and fish harvest will increase for the growth of the economy”, he added.
Source: GNA