Fishing Industry Gets Regulation

By Emmanuel Kubi

Daily Guide: Sept. 1,2010

THE MINISTER of Food and Agriculture, Kwasi Ahwoi has called for collaboration among players in the fishing industry, the Police and Navy to support the implementation of the Fisheries Regulation 2010 (L.I. 1968) that seeks to thoroughly regulate activities in the fishing sector.
Mr. Ahwoi noted that the lack of a clear regulatory framework for the fishing industry had made it difficult for the resources to be properly developed, managed, regulated and fully exploited.
The minister disclosed this at the launch of the Fisheries Regulation 2010 (L.I. 1968), which was recently passed by parliament to give a legal framework and clear guidelines to major players in the industry.
Enforcement of this law, he said, would help curb pair trawling which threatens the industry, usage of poisonous chemicals, blasting of dynamites that destroys marine life and prevent people from catching premature fish and extinct species, a practice that is against international standards.
The legal document, the minister said, has provided comprehensive requirements for the acquisition and registration of vessels.
The document also offers the operators the opportunity to license their vessels, monitor and control systems to enhance the industry.
Mr. Ahwoi said measures have been put in place to import and export fish to enhance the growth of aquaculture in the country.
“Currently aquaculture and its related activities are being promoted along modern scientific lines and have been given a clear provision in the regulatory document,” he said.
These, he said, would cover fish feed producers, aquaculture researches and record-keeping methods that would help develop the sector to improve the country’s socio-economic growth.
Canoe owners, vessel, fishmongers and the Fisheries Associations of Ghana (NAFAG) at the launch applauded the efforts of the ministry and stakeholders in developing the legal document to guide the sector
They noted that its implementation should be guided by a human face devoid of undue pressure, intimidation and partiality among others that could brew confusion and uncertainty.
The Deputy Minister of MOFA in charge of Fisheries, Nii Amasah Namoale noted that government was aware of the fact that hitches that may rise during the implementation stage, adding that it would intensify education by using comprehensive awareness creation methods to enhance its smooth running.
“We are going to translate the regulatory document into local languages for those who can not read English to benefit and we would as well reach out to them by disseminating the information,” he added.
Mr. Namoale mentioned that the fishing industry contributes about 4.5 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and assured that government would develop the industry to improve the living conditions of the people.