Fishers in the three coastal districts of the Volta Region have sent reminders to the Government to honor its promise to offer closed-season support to artisanal fishers across the country to alleviate their difficulties.
The reminder comes ahead of the start of the 2022 closed season to be observed from July 01-31 by artisanal and semi-industrial fishers and from July 01-August 31 by industrial fishers, as announced on April 12, 2022, by Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister in charge of Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD).
The fishers disclosed in an interview that the month-long observance would negatively impact their livelihood if no support is given to them.
Voices of Fishers
Madam Charlotte Segbawu, a member of Agoha Fishing Crew at Woe in the Anloga District, said the 2022 closed season should be suspended because the economic hardship being experienced would worsen with the closure of the fishing season.
“The whole of last week, our crew didn’t make any good catches. Even today, our crew couldn’t go on a fishing expedition, and we understand that the closed season will start by Friday. You can imagine what will happen to us when we have to stay at home for the next month without any support coming to us.”
Madam Charlotte Segbawu
Mr. Michael Bumegbe, Chief Fisherman, Kedzikope, Keta Municipal, assured that fishing crews at his landing beach would comply with the directive regardless of the current economic hardship.
He underscored the need for the Government to support them “just as was the case during the 2021 closed season,” saying that it could not sustain the fishers, but it helped in a way.
Mr. Emmanuel Anomoo Tettey, Chief Fisherman for Salakope and Speaker for Volta Regional Chief Fishermen, said Fishers went through difficulties during the 2021 closed season period feeding themselves and their dependents. He expressed hope that this year’s support to them, as the government promised, would be more helpful.
2022 closed season based on scientific evidence and stakeholder consensus
In April 2022, the Fisheries Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), announced that the fishing closed season for this year starts from July 1, 2022, to August 31, 2022.
According to the Fisheries Ministry, observance of the closed season is in line with section 84 of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), adding that it forms part of strategies to reduce the excessive pressure and over-exploitation of stocks in the marine sub-sector, which will help replenish the fish stocks.
A press release statement signed by the sector minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson, specified that July 1 to July 31, 2022, is the closed season for artisanal and semi-industrial fleets, while July 1 to August 31, 2022, will be observed by industrial trawlers.
“It must be indicated that the period of the 2022 closed season was agreed on based on scientific evidence and stakeholder consensus,” the statement said, indicating that during the closed season period, the ministry will not supply premix fuel to the coastal landing beach committees.”
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
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