Cape Coast, May 28, GNA - Mrs. Gladys Asmah, the Minister of Fisheries, has appealed to Ghanaians to go into aquaculture as a profitable business venture and not just as a hobby to curtail the nation's fish imports.

She said the nation imports 200 million dollars of fish annually to make up for the annual deficit and that aquaculture, could produce enough fish to offset the deficit of about 400,000 metric tons. Mrs Asmah, who made the appeal on Tuesday when she inaugurated the Central Regional Fish Farmers Association (CEREFFA) in Cape Coast, said her ministry was "aggressively pursuing" the Aquaculture Development Policy.

She said the policy was supported by the "stark fact and reality that the country's marine resources continue to dwindle resulting in low catch by fishermen."

Mrs Asmah said the aquaculture industry held a good potential and that her ministry was evolving strategies to address constraints such as quality fish seed and feed, inadequate extension services and support, market and the now emerging threat of security.

She said the ministry was supporting an FAO project in the Volta Basin to develop a fast growing Specie, the Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT), that will make fish farming commercially and economically attractive, adding that GIFT takes about four to six months to mature for harvesting.

She said some fish farmers had also been encouraged to produce quality fingerlings to supply farmers and out-growers, while the ministry was beefing up the staff of the Fisheries Directorate with expertise and skills to help fish farmers with extension services.

Mrs. Asmah lauded the formation of the association and said it would give them a platform to discuss their problems and challenges, to exchange ideas and to exchange equipment.

Mr. Samuel Obodai, the Deputy Central Regional Minister, appealed to fish farmers in the country to form or join existing associations to enable them influence policies, readily access loans, as well as seek redress to their grievances.

Mr Kafui Bekoe, Regional Director of Fisheries, appealed to the government to make available grants, machinery and other materials to the farmers.