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MoFAD inaugurates Closed Season Committee

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission has taken yet another step towards consolidating gains in effective management of the fishing stock of the country.

Date Created : 5/30/2018 8:47:04 AM : Story Author : Dominic Shirimori/Ghanadistricts.com

The Ministry on Tuesday May 29, 2018 inaugurated a Closed Season Committee to help draw up a programme for the effective implementation of the August 2018 Closed Season and the several others to be implemented.

The institution of the Closed Season, is contained in the Fisheries Management Plan of Ghana (Marine Sector, 2015-2019) as a measure to reducing excessive pressure and over exploitation of fish stocks in Ghana marine waters, and help replenish the depleting fish stock in the sub-sector.

Inaugurating the committee on behalf of the Minister, Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Professor Francis K. E. Nunoo said setting up the committee for the implementation of the major season in August was informed by the positive results from the previous Close Seasons.

He noted that the 2016 and 2017 closed season witnessed marginal increase in the catches from the artisanal sector, improvement in catches for trawlers after the 2016 and 2017 closed seasons, hence the need to intensify and extend the programme to cover all sectors of the fishing industry including artisanal sector.

Professor Nunoo disclosed that the current decision to implement the close season in August is scientifically supported as a suitable period for replenishing stocks, unlike the January and February closed season which was criticized as lacking scientific basis and industrial fisheries sector-driven.

The committee is tasked to among other things;

1. Review the 2016, 2017 and January –March, 2018 Closed Season report

2. Draw up programme for the effective implementation of the August 2018 Closed Season including the education and preparation of stakeholders towards the implementation; and

3. Any other activity that concerns Closed Season

Its membership include;

1. Mr. Daniel Emmson Kattah, Chief Economic Planning Officer & Dir. PPMED, MoFAD,

2. Mr. Godfrey Baidoo -Tsibu, Director, Monitoring, Control & Surveillance Division, Fisheries Commission – Tema

3. Mr. Paul Bannerman, Deputy Director – Fisheries Scientific Survey Division – Fisheries Commission

4. Ms. Matilda Quist, Deputy Director – Marine Fisheries Management Division – Fisheries Commission

5. Mr. Kofi Agbogah, Director – Hen Mpoano

6. Nii Djamroja – Osu Chief Fisherman

7. Mr. Joe Kramo – President, Ghana National Inshore Fisheries Association

8. Mr. E. K. Ofori Ani, Board Secretary – Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association

9. Madam Regina Solomon, President – National Fish Processors and Traders Association

10. Samuel Kwame Oteng, Assistant Director IIB – Secretary

The committee has from May 29, to September 30, 2018 as its tenure of office during which it is expected to submit a report and discuss with stakeholders the challenges and way forward.