Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson as part of government's proactive measures put in place to sustain Ghana's fishing industry has on Saturday, July 1, 2023 placed a ban on all fishing activities within the country.

She made this declaration at the 2023 closed season ceremony held at the Elmina Fishing Harbour in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Constituency in the Central Region.

The closed season which turns to be an annually earmarked occasion since its inception in 2020, seizes to ease off pressure compound on the country's sea to beneficially increase the fishes therein.

This year's closure of the sea appears to be Ghana's fourth successive time in witnessing the exercise touted by many to be a laudable implementation.

Speaking at the program, the Honourable Minister revealed that Ghana isn't the only country observing the closure of sea but countries like Egypt, Italy, Morocco, USA among others.

According to her, the 2023 closed season will witness artisanal and inshore operators to observe a month ban from fishing, effective Saturday, July 1, 2023 - July 31, 2023 as industrial trawlers are to go two months off from carrying out its operations on the sea from July 1 - August 31, 2023.

She outlaid her outmost appreciation to fisherfolks across the country for wholeheartedly embracing the closed season initiative since its inception.

Hon. Hawa Koomson again disclosed government's readiness to offer fisherfolks with rice and cooking oil in this year's adherence to the closed season.

Nana Kodwo Kondua VI, Paramount Chief of the Edina Traditional Area on government's support of food stuffs to be offered to fisherfolks during the closed season, appealed to Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson to place much attention on gari rather than the rice and oil the ministry intends to share across.

Regina Solomon, President for the National Fish Processors and Traders Association (NAFPTA) at the event remarked the association's unflinching support towards the closed season initiative but tasked the Fisheries Minister to apprehend illegal premix dealers whose dubious means is gradually causing their businesses to collapse.

Regina Solomon, President for the National Fish Processors and Traders Association (NAFPTA) at the event remarked the association's unflinching support towards the closed season initiative but tasked the Fisheries Minister to apprehend illegal premix dealers whose dubious means is gradually causing their businesses to collapse as the real fishermen aren't getting the opportunity in gaining access to the premix fuel.

Source//Sompaonline.com/Eric Annan