Chief Lauds Gov't for Improved Fishing Industry

Neenyi Kweku Mbir III, chairman of the Central Regional Canoe Fishermen Council, has said past governments of this country did their best for the fishing industry, but with only two years stay in power, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government needs recommendation.

He propounded that the setting up of the Ministry of Fisheries with an active sector minister, Hon. Ishmael Ashietey, has made a positive impact on the industry.

He thanked Hon. Ishmael Ashietey for making it possible for a fisherman to be awarded with a brand new pick-up car for the first time on the National Farmers and Fishermen's day.

He remarked that the government's assurance to award a two-bedroom house to the best national fisherman this year has boosted the morale of fishermen, who now walk chest out.

Neeyi Kweku Mbir III expressed deep concern over the industrial fishing trawlers' activities in the Central Region, such as fishing below the mandated zone of 30 fathoms or meters deep, using wrong mesh sizes of nets which destroy the sea beds and trawl away the nets of fishermen, depriving them of their livelihood.

Speaking at this year's Central Region 2nd Fishermen's Awards day, Neeyi Mbir called on the fisheries ministry not to relent in its duty in checking all the negative fishing practices, whilst the community based fisheries management committees continue to fight canoe fishermen who violate all the fishing bye-laws.

The Central Region, with 42 landing beaches most of them not safe, lacks storage facilities and thus contributing to large volumes or tones of fish rotten during the bumper seasons.

In curbing the frequent shortage of premix fuel, the chairman suggested that some fishermen should represent them on the national premix distribution committee.

Thanking the regional minister, Hon. Isaac. E. Edumadze, for his initiative in instituting the fishermen's awards day, Neenyi Mbir expressed the hope that in the near future, award winners may carry home outboard motor engines among others.