The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, has said the sustainable management of the fisheries resources and development of the aquaculture industry is very paramount to the government.
To this end, she said the government has adopted a couple of measures to sustain the fisheries and aquaculture resources.
“These measures include the formulation of a New National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy to replace the 2008 Policy, a New Gear Specification for Industrial Trawl Vessels and implementation of all fleets closed seasons since 2019,” she disclosed.
The minister said this in Accra on Thursday at the 2022 Fish Festival Celebration, which was held under the theme. “Promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for national development.”
Commenting on access to fishing inputs by the fishers, Mrs Koomson noted that the government appreciates the place of premix fuel to the fishers and has therefore commenced the automation of premix outlets to prevent the diversion and hoarding of this commodity.
“Survey on-site sustainability has been conducted for the 300 landing beaches and construction of three automated premix fuel outlets at Elimina for the pilot phase is almost complete,” she added.
The minister announced that fishing nets, 6,000 bundles of wire mesh, 20,000 basins and 5,000 outboard motors have been distributed to fishers and fish processors in 189 communities along the coast.
Mrs Koomson appealed to the fishers to practice safe and quality fishing by avoiding the use of unauthorized materials and fishing methods.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD