Though efforts in 2018, were made to halt illegal trans-shipment of fish at sea, the unruly act is still being perpetuated by Industrial trawlers. The Central Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC), Nana Kweigya, has iterated that Industrial trawlers have targeted the sole preserve of the artisanal fishers.
Speaking on Breakfast daily, Nana Kweigya stated that, “the commitment to fight it (illegal trans-shipment) should be there and one’s the commitment is there, we would be able to overcome this challenge.” He further stressed that, to avoid the collapse of the industry, government should look into the matter.
“But the commitment to fight what is actually driving the collapse of our fishes is equally important and one of it is that, let us enforce the law. Let us stop this illegal transition. The harm that these vessels are perpetuating, are driving the collapse of our fishes; let us stop it. Do you know what? The government has actually stopped this before. What do you do? By our law these trawlers are supposed to land at designated point; in our case, Tema and Takoradi.
“Now, when you direct them to land at the designated points, then you can now inspect their catch but if you allow illegal transshipment as it is done, then you are not addressing the problem. So, if the regulator really wants to save the industry from collapse, direct the trawlers just as they were done in 2018, to land their catch at designated ports and so they will not come and harvest the small pelagic which is for artisanal fishers because once you harvest them and come and land it at the port you will be apprehended; because you have gone against the law and you will be fined 1 million; to be fined 1 million is not in itself enough. If they are made to face the law as it is, they will not be perpetuating this crime.”
However, the Central Regional PRO, commended government for the brick water that was being built at Manfro in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region.
“It is a fantastic investment and we are even calling for more. It actually promotes the business and then addresses post-harvest losses. So, it is perfect, except that we need to address these issues simultaneously. We appreciate that and I want to commend government for that investment. In Ekumfi for instance, they do not have proper fish landing sites so you always have to travel to harvest those landing sites; its key. We appreciate it and we commend government for that.”
