Fishermen warned on the use of lights

Cape Coast, March 7, GNA - The Central Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Annor Kwofie, has warned fishermen from Bantama in Elmina against the use of flash lights in fishing. He said warnings to them to stop the practice had fallen on deaf ears and the police would deal sternly with anyone found culpable, adding that the law was for their own good. Mr Kwofie gave the warning that at a meeting with fishermen in the Central Region all over the region.

The fishermen had agreed to stop fishing with light but their colleagues from Elmina are adamant and the police chief told them that until the laws are changed anyone who falls short of it would have problems. He said the police would embark on an exercise to arrest people who would flout the law.

In their response Nana Badu, a fisherman, said there are about 80 sub laws with regards to fishing but could not understand why the emphasis is always placed on "saiko" and the use of flash lights. He said fishermen from Anomabo, Moree, Biriwa, James Town, Chorkor and other places use the wire nets and tuna boats which are equally dangerous have been left to operate without any form of disapproval.

Nana Badu said they would agree to end their fishing practice if there was a total enforcement of the law rather than partial enforcement. He said it would be unfair to arrest them and leave others who commit the same kind of offence they commit.

Nana Badu appealed to the police to give them time to operate for a while since they have each been given outboard motors worth GHC 4,900 on credit, adding that they had to work to pay. He said the law makers should try as much as possible to include people from the grassroot when some of these laws are made because the laws are made for them and it is important to seek their views before the laws are passed. Mr Kwofie assured them that he would forward their grievances to the appropriate authority to ensure balance in the enforcement of the law.