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Elizabeth Afoley Quaye – Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Minister Elizabeth Afoley Quaye says that Cabinet has approved the Fisheries Co-Management Policy, which seeks to enhance the current consultative approach to fisheries management by transitioning from a more top-down consultative management framework to an approach that will promote shared responsibility among government, resource users, and other stakeholders.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday [September 30, 2020] Ms Afoley Quaye said that the Co-management Policy is one of the most effective and efficient strategies for managing resources, including fishery resources, through a shared responsibility between the government, resource users and other key stakeholders.
It should be noted that the implementation of this policy would allow fishermen, principal fishermen, and community chiefs and elders to assist government officials in the Fisheries Commission (FC) in codifying local laws and enforcing laws. fishing, especially within fishing communities.
The District Assemblies would also commit to approving some statutes to help combat illegalities in the fishing sector, as well as protect fishing resources such as mangroves, estuaries, closed seasons and fishing vacations.
The Minister also mentioned that the Canoe Identification Card (CIC) that was launched on December 10, 2019 in Keta is being implemented in the artisanal marine subsector to facilitate the identification of canoe owners.
“This will improve regulation and access to fishery resources, provide recognition and legitimacy to canoe owners, and help in the provision of government support,” he said.
Regarding the application of the fishing law, the minister said that her team has intensified the observation activities in industrial vessels as part of the measures to guarantee the application and compliance with the fishing laws and regulations.
He said that the number of observation missions in 2019 increased from 335 in 2018 to 550 in 2019. He added that Electronic Vessel Monitoring Systems composed of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) continue to operate in all of Ghana. and foreign flag fishing vessels
“The Ministry also intensified community awareness and education on the need to adhere to fishing laws and regulations,” he said.
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