Integrated Fisheries Governance programme launched
AN Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance programme was launched over the weekend by the deputy Western Regional Minister, Ms. Betty Bosumtwi-Sam, which seeks to address the problem of the over-exploitation of fisheries resources, and the decline of fish stocks, the threat of biodiversity assets, including wetlands and lagoons among others.
The beneficiaries of this laudable programme are from the coastal communities in the region, such as Ahanta West, Shama, Nzema East, Ellembelle, and Sekondi-Takoradi among others.
The expected outcome of the programme would be to strengthen the human and institutional capacity for coastal and fisheries management, and the implementation of improved fisheries management strategies.
The strategic partners in the programme are the USAID, Coastal Resource Center in the USA, and the Friends of the Nation, a non-governmental organisation, and the USAID is to spend a total of $10 million in the next four years.
Launching the programme, the deputy Regional Minister observed that it was regrettable that though the fishing industry was one of the oldest, it had not been given the needed attention, resulting in it being unable to satisfy domestic demand.
She therefore expressed the hope that the intervention would make it possible for the industry to contribute to Gross Domestic Product.