The Council believes that such a fund would be instrumental in addressing the challenges faced by the canoe fishermen, including lack of access to credit, inadequate training, and limited access to markets. The Council’s call for a dedicated fund comes amidst growing concerns about the sustainability of inland fisheries. The Council argues that the lack of adequate research and development in the sector is a major contributor to the decline in fish stocks.
This issue is further compounded by the lack of access to credit and finance for small-scale fishers. This lack of access to credit and finance hinders their ability to invest in modern fishing gear, improve their fishing practices, and expand their operations. The absence of a comprehensive and effective fisheries management plan is another significant challenge facing the Ghanaian fisheries industry.
The last review saw the inclusion of new regulations regarding measures to deter and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. But regulations of the aquaculture and inland fishing industries are not entirely enshrined in the Act. Director of Policy and Evaluation at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministry, Eric Baah explains the new act would help in managing the sector. “There are no regulations and it is not helping the sector. The inland sector also has free range and it is not helping. The use of unhealthy items for fishing are concerns that can’t be overlooked. So, the new act would check some of these things,” he said.
This Act aims to achieve these goals through a sustainable and responsible fishing practices. This includes promoting responsible fishing gear, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and enforcing strict regulations on fishing activities. The Act also emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the management of fisheries. This involves empowering communities to participate in decision-making processes, providing them with access to information, and ensuring their voices are heard.
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