Concord Times (Freetown)
Ben Samuel Turay
26 November 2008
Chairlady of the York Fisher Women Association at York village in the Freetown Peninsular has said that poor fishing condition has hit the community as business has gone bad and that soon most of their members will quit the trade.
Speaking to Concord Times Sunday, Mrs. Sallay Sankoh said they are not happy with the present state of the business and that very soon a good number of her colleagues may be forced to opt for another trade until the present appalling fishing condition improves.
"We educate our children and take care of our homes through this fishing business, but if the situation continues to worsen we will have no alternative but to look elsewhere," she said.
One of the renowned fishermen in the village, Osman Kanu said he cannot explained what has befallen the only business occupation majority of the York people are engaged in. According to him, they no longer record the huge and impressive catch they used to make and that since the start of 2008, things have continued to be very difficult for them.
Kanu said they spend lots of money on fuel and at times return after a whole day at sea without recording any significant catch.
However, a community elder, Pa Francis Conteh said there still may be plenty of fish at sea but the problem, he believes, is that people seem to have forgotten their tradition.
"In those days when we want to go fishing, we will perform some ceremonies to our fore-fathers asking for their help. We'll ask especially for protection, but today many of our fishermen don't do that. This might be the source of the problem," Pa Conteh observed.
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