Saltpond, June 14, GNA - Mr. Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman West, on Sunday expressed the need for the amendment of the fisheries Act (625), to outline clearly the punitive processes to deal with all illegal fishing related offences. He noted that the Act is not explicit on offences involved in the use of explosives and other unconventional methods of fishing to scare offenders.

Mr. Quansah said fisherman who use mesh nets or prohibitive lighting systems for fishing could for exploit the loopholes in the Act to defend their activities by arguing that it had been a normal fishing practice for ages.

Addressing a meeting of fisherman at Saltpond Lower town, the MP said the rate at which the sea and river bodies were being depleted through unapproved methods of fishing should be the concern of all, especially people who depend on the water bodies for their livelihoods. He said due to the dwindling fortunes of the fishing industry, fishermen and fishmongers who contract loans from the banks to improve on their businesses found it difficult to pay back. Mr. Quansah urged the fishermen to help the government to check the activities of their colleagues who use unapproved methods of fishing. "Report such people to the law enforcing agents to deal with them," adding that if they shield the culprits because of friendly or family ties, they would be encouraging them to throw all fishermen out of business.

Mr. Quansah cautioned distributors of pre-mix fuel not to engage in acts that are inimical to fishermen. He assured the fishermen of regular supply of pre-mix to enable them to take advantage of this year's fishing season. 14 June 09