Ban on fishing: Government lying to us – Fishermen wail

Some canoe owners and fishermen in Cape Coast in the Central Region have accused government officials of owning Chinese fishing vessels used for inappropriate fishing on the coastal sea and lying to them on the ban on fishing.

The practice according to the fishermen, this has contributed to the excessive harvesting of fish posing danger to the fishing industry in the area.

In an exclusive interview with MyNewsGh.com, the fisher folks said despite government’s one month ban on fishing, some Chinese fishing vessels are still in the business of fishing.

They further called for a ban on the use of Chinese fishing vessels on the sea.

Government has imposed a one month ban on all fishing activities in the country with effect from May 15 to June 15, 2019.

The closed season is meant for all fleet comprising of canoes, inshore boats and trawlers, revealing that there is no truth in government’s explanation of measures put in place to increase fish stock.

They also accused the government of compromising some stakeholders and chief fishermen along the coastal areas to agree to observe the closed season.

According to the aggrieved fishermen, the increment of outboard motors and premix fuel as well as ban on fishing has collapsed the fishing industry and called on the government to do everything possible to revive the fishing industry as soon as possible.