Fishing activities along Ghana’s coast are set to increase significantly this weekend following the lifting of the fishing ban. The sea has officially reopened for artisanal and inshore fleet fishing operations, marked by a symbolic ceremony led by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson.
At the ceremony in Akplabanya in the Ada West District, traditional authorities poured libations, praying for a bountiful harvest for the fishermen. Madam Koomson then symbolically declared the end of the restricted fishing season and the reopening of the sea using a large carved wooden key.
The one-month closed season, which began on July 1 and ended on July 31, 2024, was implemented as part of efforts to restore the declining fish population in Ghana’s marine waters. The decision to institute the closed season was based on a scientific report and Section 84 of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625).
Madam Koomson emphasized that the Ministry and the government are committed to continuously improving the fishing industry by implementing new technologies, enhancing infrastructure, empowering individuals to pursue alternative livelihoods, and upgrading the skills of women processors and fishermen. The goal is to establish a prosperous, sustainable fishing industry that benefits all stakeholders, increasing efficiency and profitability.
Ms. Grace Lang, Acting Mission Director for USAID, noted that since 2019, Ghana has received assistance from USAID in implementing key fisheries management measures, including the closed season. According to Ms. Lang, the biological impact assessment of the 2023 closed fishing season showed an increase in the average sizes of round sardinella, flat sardinella, and anchovies compared to before the season started. She explained that the USAID Feed the Future Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity aims to ensure fish remains a primary source of animal protein for Ghanaians, supporting sustainable fishing practices like the closed season to help restore the country’s fish population.
With the ban now lifted, a flurry of fishing activities is expected along the coast, which may lead to a reduction in fish prices in the market.
Source: GNA
