Fisheries Minister engages stakeholders

The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur has met with the Ghana Canoe Fishermen Council and the Ghana Inshore Fishermen Association.

The meeting formed part of her familirisation engagements with organisations within the ministry since assuming office

It aimed to find collaborative solutions that would enhance the livelihoods of fisherfolk and promote sustainable practices within the sector.

The groups presented their challenges and shared their perspectives on how those issues could be addressed.

Among the issues were how to secure fishing landing sites from encroachment, a growing concern that threatens the very foundation of local fishing communities as well as support for the Anomabo Fisheries College.

On the encroachment, the fisherfolk expressed the urgent need to protect the landing sites from unauthorised developments that disrupt their traditional landing sites, which are vital for their operations.

They also called for scholarship to enable them enroll at the Anomabo Fisheries College, which has been set up to empower local fishers with education and skills necessary for modern fishing practices, thereby improving both their economic prospects and the overall sustainability of the industry.

Additionally, they mentioned the need to expand the Livelihood Support Initiative, which provides financial assistance and resources to fishing communities.

The programme, they said, was crucial in enhancing resilience among fisherfolk, especially in times of economic hardship or environmental challenges.

Also, they said another challenge to their business was access to approved fishing inputs advocating improved availability of quality gear and equipment.

Access, they said was vital for increasing productivity which would then ensure that fishers could  operate sustainably while adhering to best practices.

Sustainable fisheries

Responding to their concerns, Ms Arthur reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable fisheries and prioritising the welfare of fisherfolk across Ghana and gave them the assurance that their concerns would be taken on board and the best solution initiated.

The Minister stressed the need for stricter enforcement of fisheries laws to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

She acknowledged that IUU fishing poses a significant threat to Ghana’s marine resources, resulting in substantial economic losses, emphasising that robust enforcement measures are essential to protect fish stocks and ensure fair competition among legal fishers.

Ms Arthur called for unity among all stakeholders in the sector, stressing that collaboration was key to building a thriving blue economy that benefits both fishers and the nation as a whole.