Illegal Chinese fishermen will soon be arrested – Minister

Mrs Elizabeth Naa Afoley Quaye, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, has said security forces will soon begin the arrest of Chinese nationals as part of efforts to combat the illegal act of light fishing.

There are agitations among the fisher folks, as they complained that the local people are being harassed on the seas while Chinese nationals who are neck-dipped in light fishing in Ghana’s waters are allowed to do so.

But the Minister told Kasapa 102.5 FM that the law would continue to be applied irrespective of who is involved as a way of ensuring sustainable fish stock in the sea.

‘We don’t allow foreigners to fish in our seas, it is against the law. So apart from arresting our local people, we’ll also arrest Chinese people who engaged in light fishing. I may not be able to tell you exactly when you hear from us, but I bet you, you’ll hear from us very soon.”

Her comment follows the arrests of some 100 fishermen who allegedly used DDT, carbide, dynamite and light for fishing.

She said the culprits are being arraigned for breaking the fisheries laws.

“We impounded their canoes and outboard motors” she revealed.

Most of the fishes caught through light fishing and the use of DDT are brought to the shore dead and discoloured, with broken flesh and sunken eyes, indications that they are not fresh.

There are fears that the practice may be widespread along the west coast of the country.

The use of chemicals such as DDT and carbide poses a serious health hazard to fish consumers.

Health experts say eating food with large amounts (grammes) of DDT over a short time will most likely affect the nervous system.