Fishermen are asking government to give them some stipend to depend on during the closed season.
This is because fishing is their only source of livelihood.
During a visit to some fishing communities in Accra, it was observed that the fishermen are adhering to directives not to go fishing in the next eight weeks.
Every year from June to August ending, government through the fisheries and aquaculture ministry closes the sea for a period of eight weeks. The reason is to allow fingerlings to mature to boost fish production.
This directive since its inception has not been welcomed by the fisherfolk because their source of livelihoods are cut off.
This year is not different from other years as the fishermen complain of financial difficulties.
In this regard, they have appealed to government for support.
Nii Amarh Masupe, Chief Fisherman at Osu, in an interview said though he is of the opinion that the close season would not have any significant impact on fish production, he has ensured, as the chief fisherman, that no fisherman flout the directives by government.
During a visit, it was observed that the beach of Labadi, Osu, Chorkor and James Town were relatively tidy perhaps due to the absence of the fishermen.
By: Ewurabena Paha.
