The Member of Parliament for the Odododiodoo Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has called for a more committed enforcement of existing fishing laws to guard against unconventional practices affecting the fishing industry.
According to him, Government has to enforce the fisheries regulatory law to the fullest to eliminate such detrimental acts in the fishing industry to ensure the sustainable management of the country’s fish and aquatic resources.
Fishermen have been calling on government to adopt a number of strategic interventions to solve the many challenges affecting their activities.
Speaking to Citi News, the Odododiodoo MP said individuals who violate fisheries laws and regulations would be to face the full rigors of the law.
He noted that a law was passed in 2010 to outlaw pair trolling and other unorthodox methods of fishing and all that is required is stricter enforcement.
“The law is there. Enforcement must be embarked upon with the naval officers and the Marine police and the fishery task force. All these things have been put in place.”
Mr. Vanderpuije also explained that the law has made provisions for strict sanctions that must be enforced to serve as a deterrent to people engaging in illegal fishing practices.
“According to the law, when you are arrested for engaging in pair trolling, there is a spot fine of 1 million dollars. When you are arrested for using light in fishing, there is a spot fine of 500,000 dollars. All these things are measures government has put in place to prevent people from engaging in nefarious activities on the sea.”
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana