The Central Regional Director of Fisheries Commission, Nana Damoah has advocated for an extension of the closed fishing season beyond the usual one-month duration.
While acknowledging the potential economic hardships it may impose on the local fisher folks, Mr. Damoah said the extension would positively impact fish breeding in the country.
Speaking in an interview on ATLFM Egyanom Afarfo on Tuesday, he said the closed season which currently lasts for one month, is implemented annually to allow fish populations to replenish and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
However, Nana Damoah believes that prolonging this period could yield more substantial benefits for the breeding of various fish species.
“The one month closed only gives us small fish breeds but, we have to leave them to grow big. At best if we extend the close season to about 3 months as done in Morroco and Mauritania, the breeds will grow big. At the end of the 3 months we can harvest the big ones and leave the small ones to grow” he said.
He however noted that the Regional Fisheries Commission, Cape Coast will not take any decision without consulting the fisher folks.
Meanwhile, the President of the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CFGOA), Nana Kweigya has expressed his opposition to the extension, stating that it would not benefit the fisher folk.
He emphasized that fisher folk’s livelihood will be at stake, and closing the sea beyond one month will lead to economic hardships.
He, therefore, appealed to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, urging them to reconsider any decision in that regard.
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Source: Enock Chanimbe/ATLFMNEWS
