|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By: Edward Graham Sebbie
Marine Canoe artisanal fishers are excluded from the 2025 closed fishing season to be observed between July and August this year.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emilia Arthur, said that the exemption of the canoe fishers forms part of measures to mitigate the potential negative impact of the exercise on the livelihoods of coastal communities.
She made this known when she announced this year’s closed fishing season, scheduled to commence on July 1 and expected to last for approximately two months. “The closed season forms part of the government’s efforts to, among other things, safeguard the sustainability of the country’s marine resources” she stated.
The sector minister, however, added that the exemption does not absolve artisanal fishers from complying with other traditional and statutory fisheries regulations. “These measures are consistent with Ghana’s national fisheries strategy and best practices for sustainable resource management aimed at replenishment of fish stock in our oceans.
“Marine canoe artisanal fishers are exempted from this year’s closed season, however, this exemption does not absolve artisanal fishers from complying with other traditional and statutory fishery regulations,” she added.
Closed season started some years ago has been met with diverse opinions with canoes fishermen dissatisfied with the timing, saying observing the exercise in their bumper months is affecting their fishing business and called for a change in the months of observance.
The latest news, must be a welcoming one for these fishers as a step to attending to their concerns.
