They described the exemption as a welcome relief that would alleviate the plight of many fishers and the families who depend on fishing for their livelihood during the period.  

Mr. Prosper Nuworkpor, a fisherman at Tetekope, a suburb of Keta, said the government’s  decision to exempt artisanal fishers from the closed season would have a positive impact on the livelihoods of many fishing communities within the coastal areas.  

"We fisherfolks at Keta have expressed gratitude to President Mahama for delivering on his campaign message, the exemption will help alleviate economic hardship," he said.  

Mr. Nuworkpor explained that many fisherfolks were not against the closed fishing season but rather the July implementation period needed careful study and consultation for the benefit of both fishermen and other business to boost the economy.   

He said that exemption was also contingent upon artisanal fishers adherence to best fishing practices, including observing traditional non-fishing days and avoiding harmful fishing methods.  

"The decision to exempt we artisanal fishers from the exercise is based on the understanding that the activities will not significantly affect the dwindling fish stock in the country."  

Mr. Vans Kwaku Adedze, the Public Relations Officer of Ghana National Canoe Fishers Council, in the Volta Region, said that the closed fishing season was a fisheries management procedure designed to protect fish stocks and increase their population.   

He said that it was aimed to curb overfishing, restore over-exploited fish stocks, replenish dwindling fish populations, and allow fish to lay their eggs to replace lost populations, with artisanal fishers been exempted from the exercise while industrial trawlers would observe a two-month closure from July 1 to August 31.  

He said that the government planned to implement alternative measures to promote sustainable fishing practices to guide and control the activities of artisanal fishers during the period.   

Some fishing experts have expressed concern about the exemption, saying it could lead to overfishing while others believed it would have a positive impact on fishing communities to allow fishers to continue earning a living.  

Some fisherfolks have promised to observed the traditional holidays to avoid pressure on the fishing stock with others suggesting that the closed season should be held in August since studies revealed that aquatic animals replenish during that time.  

The government has pledged artisanal regular premix fuel supplies and high-quality fishing gear and promised a reconstitution of the Landing Beach Committees to empower fishers and address irregularities in the distribution of premix fuel and other fishing gear.