Minister for Fishery and Aquaculture, Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson has announced that plans are far advanced for the nation to procure four patrol boats for the sector. According to her, the machines when bought would be deployed in each of the country’s four coastal regions (Central, Greater Accra, Volta and Western Regions) for frequent inspections at seas, offshore and for prompt response to detect infringement observed at the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Centers.
Addressing the media, Sunday (12 September, 2021) during the Ministry of Information weekly briefing said the patrol boats would also help in the fight against piracy which has become rampant in the sub-region in recent times.
Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East disclosed the ministry in collaboration with the relevant state security agencies has intensified enforcement activities including land and sea patrols.
She indicated this is to ensure that all fishers engaged in illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing activities would be arrested.
“We will arrest and prosecute all those who break the laws. As I indicated during my vetting, I will enforce all the laws concerning fishing to ensure that we leave a sustainable and transformed fishing sector for future generations”
She continued, “I wish to inform you that some arrest and seizure of light fishing equipment were made at Tema, Secondi, Emisanon and Hinii after the sea has been opened.”
Nevertheless, the Fishery and Aquaculture revealed her ministry has also initiated processes to procure one Research Vessel to undertake regular conduct of scientific fisheries research which includes stock assessment. She highlighted research vessels are important means through which the conditions and changes in marine ecosystems and fish stocks can be assessed to define allowance catch quantities.
“The vessels are used to collect information that is used to prepare detailed analyses and studies of the ocean. In essence, the absence of a research vessel creates a gap in the fisheries sector’s ability to obtain marine data to support effective management of fisheries resources” Hawa Koomson emphasized.
