Fishers to enforce fisheries laws

Accra, May 24, GNA - The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development will empower fishers in line with the Fisheries Act to enforce the fisheries regulations at their respective landing sites.

A statement signed by Mrs Elizabeth Afoley-Quaye, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and copied to the Ghana News Agency said, empowering the fishers was important because in spite of the works of the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU), illegal fishing practice was prevalent especially at the marine coastal fishing landing sites.

The FEU was established in September 2013 and was tasked with the responsibility of enforcing fisheries law and regulations in the country.

It is an inter-Ministerial body and comprises representatives from the Ghana Navy, Ghana Air-Force, Fisheries Commission, Ghana Police Service, Attorney Generals Department and National Security.

It said since its establishment FEU offices have been established in Tema and Sekondi but it was constrained in its operations nationwide as there were over 300 and 2000 landing sites respectively along the marine coast and the Volta lake to enable it enforce the laws and regulations.

The Ministry, it said, was therefore empowering the fishers to help fight against illegal fishing practices.

The Ministry, however, requested that when fishers make an arrest for infraction of the fisheries law and regulations all should play their various roles as mandated by law to ensure that the arrested fishermen were prosecuted.

It counted on the cooperation of all in this important national exercise for sustainability of the fishing industry.

GNA