Fishermen in the Central Region have condemned the illegal activities of foreign trawlers in Ghana's marine waters and has called on government to halt it.
“Government with all the security apparatus must strengthen ties with the local fishermen to fight Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing because it is affecting our livelihoods”.
They made the call when 24 representatives from the European Union (EU) Council Africa Working Party interacted with them at Gomoa Fetteh, as part of their visit to Ghana to ascertain the progress of two EU funded fisheries projects in the country.
The two projects are “Far Dwuma Nkodo” being implemented by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and “Hen Mpoano” and Far Ban Bo” also being implemented by Friends of the Nation (FoN), Care International and Oxfam.
They are aimed at securing and protecting fisheries industry through combating illegal fishing and strengthening capacities to support fisheries co-management for sustainable livelihoods.
“The Chief Fisherman of Gomoa Fetteh, Nana Obrenu Dabum III, speaking on behalf of the fishermen expressed disappointment that despite the extensive policies and regulatory framework governing fisheries, including the Fishing Act of 2002, (Act 625), Fisheries Regulation of 2010 (LI1968), which abhor illegal fishing, the practices persisted within almost all the coastal regions, with foreigners highly engaged in it.
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