The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) has voted in favour of renewed fight against destructive fishing practices in Ghana’s fishing industry.
The NEC, at a meeting at the Tema Canoe Basin, deliberated on a report on the recent engagements with landing beach executives across the four coastal regions of Ghana on addressing destructive fishing practices in the fisheries sector.
The engagements with landing beach executives were held under the Fishers’ Rights Project, which is supported by the Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition.
Nana Kweigyah, the national president of CAFGOAG, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the NEC approved of immediate actions and targeted engagements with selected notable fishing communities as preparatory activities towards addressing the widespread illegalities in the fisheries sector.
He said they further concluded several proposals to be shared with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Fisheries Commission for consideration into a comprehensive plan to address destructive and illegal practices in the sector.
He indicated that the Fishers’ Rights Project, which is implemented by CaFGOAG, was aimed at improving awareness on human rights issues relating to the decline in fish catch in artisanal fisheries.
He added that the project was also to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework that protects the rights of small-scale fishers and enhance local co-management committees to improve fishers’ participation in decision-making.
Source: GNA
