Stakeholders in the marine industry have attended an evaluation workshop on Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the sea as part of measures to abate the nuisance to increase the fish stock.
The workshop formed part of the “5/Oak Foundation Project” to improve fisheries governance in Ghana and the wider sub-region.
It is being implemented by Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation (FoN), Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), and Try-Magg Tracking and Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea between January 2021 and December 2023.
Many fishers have no regard for fisheries laws, a sad reality
Opening the workshop, Mr. Yamoah Kyei, the Project Manager of FoN, iterated the need for major stakeholders in the marine industry to continue to wage a relentless war on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the country.
He observed that the fish stock is quickly depleting due to the anti-fishing behaviour of fishers in the sea.
“This is because many fishers have no regard for the fisheries laws. I strongly advise that every fisher refrains from illegal, unreported, and unregulated practice.”
Mr. Yamoah Kyei
He reminded the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU) to prosecute offenders for streamlining issues bordering on fishing.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Joseph Antwi Ababio Tawiah, Director at Marine Police Training Unit, whose speech was read by Superintendent Charles Osei, Commanding Officer, Marine, Railway and Ports at Tema, told the participants at the workshop that prosecutorial action is being taken against IUU fishing, ranging from Inshore Vessels, Industrial Trawlers and Artisanal fishers.
He said the Fisheries Commission Monitoring Unit is tracking 43 cases with 35 cases under investigation and eight before the law courts.
Generators not allowed to be immersed at the IEZ
ACP Tawiah Ababio revealed that many observers hide the truth on the Inshore and Exclusive Zone (IEZ) and fail to expose infractions at sea.
Mr. Joseph Yeboah, the Western Regional Director of Fisheries, said with the help of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and observers, infractions should be exposed at the IEZ.
He said generators are not allowed to be immersed at the IEZ and charged the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU) to get authentic evidence of any accoutrement through videos and pictures for arrest and prosecution.
Fishers urge to have insurance cover, lawyers and judges advise to train in fisheries laws
Mr. Yeboah suggested that the crew must have insurance cover considering the risk involved at sea.
Mrs. Sandra Akossah Tawiah, Head of Legal and Prosecutions at Tema and Legal Advisor to Marine Police, noted that confiscated fishing gears must be destroyed but existing legislation does not allow that.
She stressed the need for Ghana’s fisheries legislation to be revised with consultation from the Marine Police Unit. Also, the law on IUU must be transparent regarding prosecution and judgment.
Mrs. Akossah Tawiah, also Superintendent of the Ghana Police Service, said it is important for investigators and other arresting bodies to be trained on fisheries laws and expeditious gathering of evidence.
“Many lawyers and judges should be trained in fisheries laws. Also, Marine Police officers should have their facts ready before arresting and prosecuting in court.”
Mrs. Akossah Tawiah
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