Ghana’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) on Monday opened the sea to artisanal fishers to resume fishing.
The season was closed for a month as part of measures by government to recover fisheries stocks that keep dwindling.
The 2022 fishing closed season marks the third time the ministry is implementing a key fisheries management measure.
Sector Minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson, performed the symbolic opening of the sea with a key at Otuam in the Central Region.
Before the symbolic opening of the season for artisanal fishers to go fishing after a month of closed season, the minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson indicated that the journey towards the implementation of the 2022 closed season was not as smooth as they had expected as a result of the challenges in the supply of premix fuel.
She stated that however, due to the resolve and foresight of stakeholders, especially, the leadership and members of artisanal and inshore fishers, stakeholders including the traditional authorities supported by the ministry to observe the 2022 closed season.
The preparation of the 2022 closed season started with the first national stakeholders meeting in March 2022 during which the stakeholders reviewed the 2021 closed season report and agreed on the duration for the 2022 closed season period. They then announced the date for the 2022 Closed Season.
Addressing the fishers at Ekumfi Otuam landing beach, the minister entreated all fishers to play their part in the recovery of the fisheries resources by supporting the ministry in the implementation of the fisheries resource recovery plan such as the closed season.