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‘We will enforce ban on light for fishing ourselves’-Nzema chief fishermen

According to the chiefs, the move is the surest way to ensure they don’t miss out during the bumper harvest in August

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Chief fishermen in Nzema East, Ellembelle and the Jomoro districts of the Western region have sent a strong warning to fishermen in communities in these districts and the Central Region to desist from using light for fishing ahead of their bumper season expected in August or face their wrath.

According to the chiefs, the move is the surest way to ensure they don’t miss out during the bumper harvest in August.

“We could borrow any amount and pay in August, during which time we catch in excess.  But when light for fishing was introduced in our waters, by our own calculations and observations, the fishing stock has declined significantly. As a result, all chief fishermen from Axim to Newtown in Jomoro have agreed to enforce this ban on light for fishing.” Nana Kofi Bentil, Lower Axim Chief Fisherman told pulse.com.gh

Fishermen throughout the country have been hit by a dwindling fish catch in recent years. The phenomenon is said to have been caused by the increasing disregard for best fishing practices in the sea. Light for fishing, pair trawling, use of monofilament nets and DDT continue to thwart the efforts towards protecting the fish in the sea.

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Chief Fisherman at Upper Axim said, “today’s fishing expeditions are carried out as if there is no tomorrow. Our people are behaving as if life is all about us living today. They have forgotten of these little ones coming to face the future.

“Recent revelations by a Norwegian Vessel which carried a survey of fish stock in our waters have been shown to us. It is sad how we have killed all the herrings in our seas from Keta down to Half Assini. Every fisherman know how herrings help repay every debt. Now they are going extinct. Only a few fingerlings were seen in the waters of Axim. We will not sit down for these ones to use light and other bad methods to deplete them today”.

The chief fishermen also dispelled allegations that they have banned fishing in its totality. Nana Kofi Bentil explained that “people in our area can still go for fishing. They can go for all kinds of fishing expeditions. But what we will not entertain is using unapproved methods in the course of your expedition”.

They lamented that cold storage facilities built for them by the government are lying idle and empty there are no fish to talk the cold stores with.

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