The Western Naval Command, in collaboration with the National Fisheries Commission, has vowed to enforce the new Fisheries Law to protect fish stock.
In this respect, fishermen who employ unacceptable means of fishing, such as use of light, dynamite and poisonous substances, have been warned to desist from the practice or face arrest and prosecution.
The Flag Officer Fleet (FOF) of the Western Naval Command in charge of Ghana Navy Ship, Commodore Godson Zowonoo, gave the warning when Navy officers arrested seven boats using high powered generators for fishing.
He said the naval vessels were on a normal patrol in the night to protect the country's coasts and they encountered the boats which were carrying the high- powered generators in order to produce light to attract fish.
Commodore Zowonoo said the Fisheries Regulations 2010 (LI 1968) which came into force last August states that, "A person shall not within the fishery waters of this country use any fishing method that aggregates fish by light attraction, including use of portable generator, switchboard, bulbs beyond 500 watts or bulbs whose cumulative light intensity attracts fish and long cable to facilitate light production or any other contrivance for the purpose of aggregating fish by light."
He said the Navy would not look on unconcerned for fishermen to break the law with impunity.
Commodore Zowonoo said some of the boats arrested had inscriptions or names such as 'Nyame Boa', 'Nkansah', '205 Aboasie', '150 Messiah', 'Accra Boys', 'Thank You Jesus' and 'King Jesus,'.
"Now the fisheries regulation is in operation and we urge all fishermen to abide by these regulations so that the fishing industry could be preserved for future generations," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment