The Chief fisherman of Kokrobite in the Ga South Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra region, Nii Adotei Akwei IV has requested government for an alternative source of livelihood for fishermen before the implementation of the Closed Season policy.
The fishermen are specifically asking government to pay allowance packages to them.
The minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD), Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, announced government’s intention to implement the Closed Season Policy by August this year.
This policy is aimed at replenishing the sea, thus barring fisher folks from fishing during the period.
Read: Legalise closed season for fishing – 2017 National Best Fisherman advocates
In an interview with Onua FM 95.1, the Chief fisherman said even though he has no qualms with the policy per se, he is of the view that an alternative livelihood programme be implemented first.
“We need an alternative livelihood programme before we can agree to its implementation or government should forget about it”, he said.
He revealed the fishing communities in the country have had series of meetings with Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD) over the initiative but no positive agreement has been reached.
He questioned why MOFAD is now threatening to forcefully implement the Closed Season Policy to take away their source of revenue.
The Chief fisherman further blamed the ministry for not enforcing the laws properly to avert illegal fishing activities in the country.
By Maxwell Otoo|3news.com|Ghana