By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |
Marine fisherfolks in the Volta region have entered into a social contract with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development to enforce the impending closed fishing season, slated for May 15 to June 15, 2019 across the country.
The closed fishing season was necessitated by the continuous depletion of fish stocks in the country’s waters over the years, a situation experts fear could lead to the total collapse of the fishing sector if urgent steps are not taken to reverse the trend.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Anloga market on Monday, the sector minister, Madam Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, said the fishing industry which is a major source of livelihood for many and a contributor to the country’s economy was fast losing its economic value and must be protected.
She thus urged the fisherfolks to respect the month long ban which would allow the fishes to spawn and restock in order to safeguard the survival of the sector, adding that, they should see the closed season as an intervention which is aimed at making their business more profitable and sustainable.
On their part, the leadership of the various landing beaches who signed the pact on behalf of their members assured the minister of their commitment to respect the fishing ban and also enforce it at their various beaches.
Madam Afoley-Quaye who also toured some of the fishing communities in the Ketu South and Keta municipalities, later commissioned a landing site facility at Anloga in the Anloga district.
The facility comprises a cold store, an area for fish smoking and a trading area for mongers, among other ancillary facilities.
She entreated the beneficiaries to put the facility to good use and have a good maintenance culture for the place in order facilitates their business.
Present with the fisheries minister during her engagements was the District Chief Executive for Anloga, Mr. Seth Yormewu and Municipal Chief Executives for Ketu South and Keta, Mr. Elliot Agbenorwu and Mr. Godwin Effah respectively.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com