Elmina — The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) and the Fisheries Commission (FC) has held a ceremony to officially commence this year's closed season on fishing activities in the country.
It is being implemented in accordance with Section 84 of the Fisheries Act (Act 625).
For this year, the closure for artisanal and inshore fleet started from July 1 to July 31 while that of the trawl vessels began from July 1 to August 31.
Closed fishing season is "biological rest period" or no-harvesting period, and focus on halting fishing activities during the spawning period of fish stocks when the fishes are most productive.
It is observed globally as a way of reducing fishing pressure on stocks and is considered one of the key fisheries management measures to help protect fish stock and also increase their population.
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, in an address during the event, explained that the closed season concept was an important aspect in improving the country's fisheries stock.
She indicated that, it was based on scientific recommendations based on the dwindling fish stock.
"The continuous closure of the sea for the past seven years has shown significant impact," she said.
She commended stakeholders for their role in observing previous seasons since its implementation and asked for their support during this year's exercise.
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Mrs Koomson also commended fishers across the country for working tirelessly in ensuring the provision of fish protein for Ghanaians.
The hosting of the event at Elmina, she said was to highlight the importance of the town in the fisheries sector.
She explained that, Cote d'Ivoire had joined the observation of this year's closed season and indicated that, Togo and Benin would be joining in 2024.
She further stated that, a joint fisheries patrol would be carried out across the two countries to ensure compliance.
She commended the various stakeholders in the sector for their contributions towards the success of the previous exercise.
Mrs Koomson said that, the marine sub-sector had experienced decline in fish stock level with activities of global exploitation and Illegally, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing among others.
Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister, in her welcome address, commended the fishers for their contribution towards the nation's fish stock.
She also expressed appreciation to the Fisheries Ministry for the role it was playing to improve the nation's fish stock.
She tasked the security task force to arrest anyone found to be flouting the closed season.
Leaders of fisheries associations, including the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC), the Ghana Inshore Fisheries Association (GIFA), the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) and the National Association of Fish Processors and Traders (NAFPTA) gave their commitment towards observing the closed season to improve the fish stock.
