Set Up Community Based Fisheries Committee - Deputy Minister

Winneba (C/R), Aug. 27, -The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Mike Akyeampong has asked district assemblies in coastal and lake zones to form Community-Based Fisheries Resource Management Committees (CBFRMC) in their administrative areas. This is to ensure efficient and effective management and development of the country's fish resources to reverse the continued downward trend of the fishing industry. Mr Akyeampong made the call when he opened a two-day workshop on Community-Based Fisheries Resource Management System (CBFRMS) at Winneba yesterday. About 30 participants including district chief executives, presiding members, regional directors of agriculture, chief fishermen, and traditional rulers from 17 fishing districts in Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western regions, are attending the workshop. The workshop is being organized by the Fisheries Department and funded by the World Bank. The participants will examine issues militating against the effective growth of the fishing industry and come out with ideas and suggestions to assist the government to address those problems. Mr Akyeampong urged the assemblies to assist such committees to perform by enacting bye-laws that will empower them to deal with fishermen and allied groups whose activities threaten the fishing industry,