Ministry of Fisheries Lifts Close Season Ban

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has lifted the ban on fishing activities for industrial trawlers as the end of the first close season for the year ended on Wednesday.

The fishing close season which prevented the trawlers from fishing in Ghana’s waters for a certain period was introduced by the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission, as a measure to replenish the country’s fishing stock which is said to be dwindling.

Mrs Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, lifting the ban at the Tema Fishing Harbour, said the two month season begun in January and ended on February 28.

Mrs Quaye congratulated the trawlers for observing the season and urged them to always do so for government to achieve its aim of replenishing the country’s fish stock.

The Minister, who inspected some of the trawlers that were about to set sail, said she had seen great improvement in the conditions of the trawlers compared to the past.

She stated that the Fishing Enforcement Unit Task Force had done a good job to ensure that the trawlers were properly maintained, painted and wash rooms cleaned.

Mr Ampratwum Boateng, President of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) on his part, said the close season was a good initiative and hoped a good catch on their return.

Mr Boateng however appealed to the Ministry not collect fishing license fees for the closed season period.

Source: GNA