The 2003 National Best Fisherman, Nana Kwaw Kotu, has described the closed season as one of the best initiatives for the fishing industry as government continues to step up efforts to help the recovery of over-exploit fish stock.
Mr Kotu indicated that for the past 3 days, after this year’s closed season, fishermen at Albert Bosomtwe Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi have consistently recorded bumper harvest. It was a chaotic scene at the Albert Bosomtwe Sam Fishing Harbour when the media got there on Wednesday morning.
Fishermen were busily scooping their catch into basins amidst calls for attention from waiting fishmongers.
Every inch of the over 300 meter quay wall at the fishing habour was cover by fishers. Filled basins with different types of fish were packed at every turn.
Nana Kotu told the media that, “We will first commend President Nana Addo and his government as well as the Fisheries Ministries for the closed season. As you can see in front of me. We don’t even have people to buy. We are amazed that we have for the past 3 years been recording bumper harvest.
“I think what we are seeing is because of the good initiatives from the government to us. The closed season has been beneficial the period has helped us to rest, now, we have the energy to work.”
“As I told you earlier, I have been a fisherman since 1964 and only retired in 2015. It is not true that what we are getting is because of the times we are in. Once we have started catching fish, it will remain like that for a long time. Anyone who says we will have to wait till September is not a true fisherman. The closed season definitely has a lot to do with our catch now.”
Source: 3news
