The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has announced this year’s closed season for both canoes and inshore fishing vessels and industrial trawlers starting in July.
The closed season is from July 1 to July 31, 2024.
The industrial trawl vessels, on the other hand, will extend their closure until August 31, 2024, as the Minister indicated.
The move is to ensure sustainable fishing practices.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, announced this at a press conference.
She admonished the artisanal and inshore fleets to adhere to the closed season, adding that the move is to consolidate the gains made while continuing to help restore the depleted fish stocks.
The Minister indicated that before the closed season was announced, thorough consultations with industry stakeholders were conducted.
She noted that plans to roll out an electronic monitoring system equipped with video recording and global positioning capabilities after the end of the pilot project were underway.
This system was installed on three pilot trawl vessels to monitor fishing activities at sea 24/7.
“I wish to inform you that on the 2nd of April, 2024, I organised a stakeholders’ meeting at the International Conference Centre to discuss the results of the 2023 closed season and decide on the 2024 closed season,” she said.
According to her, stakeholders agreed that the implementation of the closed season has been beneficial.
To consolidate the gains made, it was also agreed that the closed season be observed in 2024. I am happy to announce that the 2024 closed season is as follows:
“Canoes and inshore vessels will observe the season from 1st July, 2024, to 31st July, 2024, while industrial trawlers will observe theirs from 1st July, 2024, to 31st August, 2024.”
The implementation of the closed fishing season is based on scientific recommendations aimed at stock recovery. Its objectives include curbing overfishing, reducing fishing pressure, restoring overexploited fish stocks, and replenishing dwindling fish populations, the minister concluded.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
