Ban On Fishing And Its Importance For Sustainable Fish Production 

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE ONE MONTH BAN ON FISHING AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE FISH PRODUCTION  

Nutritionists and health experts recommend fish as a very important protein in our diet which has little or no side effects to one’s health. Aside the importance of fish in our diet, the socio economic importance such as the employment that it offers cannot be overemphasized.
Research findings have it that about 2.6 million Ghanaians representing ten percent of Ghana’s population are dependent on the fisheries sector for their livelihoods. With a marine coastline of 550 kilometers stretching from Aflao in the East to Half Assini in the West coupled with other potentials for Aquaculture in other parts of the Country it is no gain saying that Ghana has immense potential in Aquaculture. The fishing industry in Ghana is made up of the industrialized, semi-industrialized and artisanal. The artisanal sector provides the bulk of the Nations protein requirements. It has been established that if Ghana is able to maximise its potential in the fisheries sector it stands the chance of exporting fishery products to the European market for about 128 Million EURO per year.  It is however sad to note that in spite of the Nation’s potential in the fisheries sector, Ghana imports over six hundred thousand metric tonnes of fish while it produces less than four hundred thousand metric tonnes annually. Countries such as Israel, Japan, Jamaica, and Cape Verde, among others are making giant strides as a result of the attention they have given over the years to the fisheries sector.

In the World where more than 70 percent of fisheries are overexploited, developing countries such as Ghana that have comparative advantage in this sector require strategic approach to harness its optimum potentials. At a ceremony to receive a research vessel from Norway to assess the marine stock levels in Ghana’s waters not too long ago, the President, Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that the last stock survey conducted in April 2016 shows that sardine, one dominant fish stock in Ghana is gradually disappearing from Ghanaian waters. Available records also have it that in 2017, the Country imported 135 million dollars worth of fish because of a reduction in the Country’s fish stock.  

In Ghana the problems that confront the fishing industry include irresponsible fishing activities such as the use of light aggregating device in fishing, over fishing, pair trawling and other unhealthy fishing practices that result in the harvesting of fingerlings and eggs.  Recent attempts by the Government to salvage the nation from imminent fish stock depletion warranting the need for a one-month ban on fishing beginning from 7th August to 4th September 2018, is indeed a step in the right direction. This step is expected to protect the fish stock during the period of the ban to ensure more breeding to replenish declining stocks.  Unfortunately this ban which affects both industrial and artisan fishing has not gone down well with some stakeholders of the fisheries sector. Whereas some argue that the period of the ban is when fishermen are likely to experience bumper harvest, Challenging Heights, a child-centered organization working in coastal regions of Ghana, have also opined that the ban without the needed sensitization will result in mass child poverty in the coastal areas, and consequently result in child trafficking.  Regardless of one’s view point, the determination by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development tailored at ensuring long term sustainable fishing cannot be compared to any apparent gain involved in any bumper harvest that the ban period may appear to come along with. In spite of this, the Ministry should weigh the concerns of these stakeholders as they work to propel the fisheries sector forward. The Ministry should also consider engaging the media and the Information Services Department to embark on intensive public education especially in the coastal areas on the importance of the ban for sustainable fish production before commencement of the ban in August. This will go a long way to ensure that fishermen do not breach this ban for the benefit of the Nation.

BY: DAVID OWUSU-AMOAH, CULTURAL JOURNALIST & DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF RESEARCH AT THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
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