Fishery blue-print in the offing

Dzemeni (V/R), Nov. 21, GNA-The Ministry of Fisheries would soon roll out a blue-print for the management of fisheries resources and development of aquaculture in the country. The document is expected to help address challenges confronting the sector and position it to contribute to job creation, foreign exchange earnings, food security and the Gross Domestic Product. Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Fisheries said this when she inaugurated the Lake Region Fishermen Association (LRFA) and also cut a sod for the commencement of work on a landing site at Dzemeni in the South Dayi District.

She observed that fishery resources remained the economic backbone of many fishing communities, especially the artisanal fishermen and fish processors, for which reason the depletion of stock size and the "seeming exploitation by various operators" ought to be resolved towards the development of the industry. She commended fishermen along the Volta Lake for coming together to form an Association and expressed the hope that the move would streamline fishing activities and check wrong methods of fishing on the Lake.

"It is significant to note that all these towns and villages that are dotted along the Volta Lake have come up in one way or the other in terms of methods of fishing, child labour and many others and I believe the leadership will work hard to eliminate the bad elements associated with the industry," Mrs Asmah said. She said the Landing site, which included cold stores, would strengthen the fish market in Dzemeni.

Mr Castro Mediale, Chairman of the LRFA commended government for the intervention and appealed to it to make fishing inputs available and accessible to people in the industry. He pledged the commitment of the Association to help check the exploitation of children in the industry and the use of illegal methods in fishing. Mrs. Woyram Boakye Dankwa, District Chief Executive of South Dayi described the Tongor Market in Dzemeni as very beneficiary to the Assembly and promised that government would continue to enhance infrastructure in the area.