Fishermen along the coast of the Western and Central regions have been urged to be vigilant and co-operate with the Ghana Navy to eliminate illegal activities within the country’s territorial waters.
A Deputy to the Commander of the United States-Africa Command (AFRICOM), Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates, made the call after interacting with fishermen in various fishing communities along the coast.
She said the US government was committed to helping Ghana and other West/Central African countries in the fight against illegal fishing and other illegalities at sea.
She said unregulated fishing would not only deplete the county’s fish stock but also destroy renewable resources for generations unborn, depriving Ghanaians of the needed daily quantities of fish for their dining tables.
Ms Yates said criminal gangs, pirates, smugglers and fleets engaged in illegal fishing were thriving due to the nation’s law enforcement challenges.
She said one solution was to strengthen and improve regional co-operation in maritime security under the African Partnership Station (APS) which would make members more proactive instead of reactive.
“They will be equipped with skills and knowledge to be able to be proactive and ensure safety in the maritime domain,” she explained.
Mrs Yates said her visit to the fishing communities was to listen to the people directly affected by the activities of pair trawlers, as “the American government is committed to a safe and secure maritime domain”.
She urged the fishermen to co-operate with the Ghana Navy, as the US Navy was sharing enough experience with it under APS and that with the collaboration both the navy and the fishermen would be one step ahead.
The Chief Fisherman of New Takoradi, Nana Ackon, said the solution was to equip the Navy to handle the situation.
He promised the former ambassador that fishermen would co-operate with the Ghana Navy to help fight the menace and expressed gratitude for her visit.
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