Bismark Bebli
25 September 2008
The Minister of Fisheries, Mrs. Gladys Asmah, has disclosed that plans were far advanced for sods to be cut by the end of October this year, to begin the construction of 14 fishing harbours, as well as six cold stores, in some selected coastal communities in the country.
She added that the Ministry had solicited for funds from Spain, to facilitate the construction of the fishing harbours within the period.
She mentioned Axim, Half Asini, New Takoradi, Elmina, Dixcove, Moree, Mumford, Winneba, Senya Breku, James Town, Teshie, Keta and Ada, as some of the areas to benefit from the fishing harbour project.
Mrs Asmah disclosed this at Elmina on Tuesday, when she met fishermen in the area, to deliberate on problems facing the fishing industry.
She added that US$16 million had been set aside, to construct two fishing harbours at Elmina, due to the vigorous fishing activity in the area, to allow both small and big trawlers operate there effectively.
This, according to Mrs Asmah, was because the Benya Bridge at Elmina, did not allow bigger trawlers to cross over to operate within the lagoon area.
She explained that the harbour construction would include an administration block, a clinic, a fish market, nursery school, as well as cold stores and premix station, with a stand-by generator.
Mrs. Asmah said the six cold stores would be established in the Central Region, with Mumford, Moree and Kormantse, among other communities, to benefit from them.
Touching on the activities of pair trawlers, Mrs. Asmah said her outfit had begun removing all trawling gear, to deter them from depleting the fish stock.
She gave the assurance that vessels, which did not allow their gears to be removed, would be made to leave the shores of the country.
She stated that the licenses of pair trawlers, would not be renewed when they expire at the end of the year, and that her outfit was aware that some of the vessels were operating without a license.
She, however, said her Ministry was very strict on them, and called on the fishermen to also support, by reporting such vessels to the ministry.
She appealed to the fishermen to desist from activities that were harmful to the sea, such as the use of lights in fishing.
In a related development, Nana Jojo Solomon, the Chief Fisherman of Elmina, has been put in charge of distribution of Premix Fuel at Elmina, after being suspended for almost two years, for failing to render accounts on the sale of the fuel.
Mrs. Asmah later informed the media, after a closed-door meeting, that the Interim Management Committee of Elmina would still handle the distribution of premix fuel till further notice.
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