Fisherfolks around the coastal belt of the Volta Region have been urged to adopt better methods of fishing to sustain their businesses.
The aim would prevent other fishing activities that contravened the rules and the regulations guiding the activities of fisherfolks.
Mr Seth Agbokede, the Public Relation Officer of Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, in an engagement with the Ghana News Agency to mark this year’s “Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Day” said they would rise against bad and inappropriate fishing styles.
“IUU fishing refers to fishing methods that contravene the national, regional, and international laws. Non-reporting of information on bad fishing operations and catches among others against the regulations.”
Mr Agbokede said that unlawful activities of catching fish and other aquatic species for various purposes caused disturbances to the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem in the communities.
He said fisheries provided a vital source of food, income, employment, recreation, trade, and economic well-being of all in addressing issues of food security and hunger.
“All our efforts to ensure the sustainability of fisheries are being endangered by illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities over the years.”
He explained that they had formed the Landing Beach taskforce to enforce the law and arrest culprits who would go against the laid down procedures.
Mr Agbokede also urged fisherfolks to report all forms of bad methods of fishing to the appropriate authorities for action.
He said the IUU Day served as a reminder to the public to check unsustainable fishing practices that threatened local biodiversity and food security in the fishing communities and beyond.
He said, “Fishing is our life, this is what we use to pay our children’s school fees, build houses, and almost everything so we must not allow it to be depleted or destroyed.”
Mr Agbokede commended the government for embracing the initiative to help eradicate all forms of bad fishing practices.
He charged all to get ready and comply with the rules and regulations of the upcoming ‘Closed Fishing Season’ that was slated to commence on July 1.
By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
