The Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) has commemorated this year’s World Fisheries Day urging all stakeholders to prioritise the well-being of small-scale fishers (SSF) whilst promoting sustainable fishing.
The celebration, held at Shama in the Western Region, was on the theme: “Upholding SSF Guidelines: Investing in Social Protection for Equitable Development in the Fisheries Sector.”
The World Fisheries Day, held annually on November 21, is to highlight the importance of healthy ocean ecosystems and ensure sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world.
Nana Kweigyah, the National President of CaFGOAG, said the SSF Guidelines was the first ever international instrument dedicated to small-scale fisheries, approved in 2014.
Various countries were working on the implementation of the guidelines, and Ghana has an opportunity to give the implementation a big push with the ongoing legislative review of the Fisheries Act, he noted.
He announced that CaFGOAG had submitted a set of proposals to the Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs of Parliament for consideration, and was looking forward to positive feedback from the Committee.
Nana Kweigyah said small-scale fishermen were asking for the inclusion of sustainable development of artisanal fisheries in the object of the Fisheries Commission and consider the indigenous knowledge and traditional practices of coastal communities in the preparation of fisheries management plans.
CaFGOAG, in its proposal, also asked for a percentage of the fisheries development fund to be set aside to support artisanal fisheries development and afford artisanal fishers representation in the management of the Fisheries Development Fund.
The Association wanted only canoes to be allowed within the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ), and a division or specialised unit should be dedicated to safety in the artisanal fisheries sector.
He added that co-management committees should be made quasi-autonomous, while an appendix should be dedicated to issues in the artisanal fisheries sector.
Touching on fishers welfare, Nana Kweigyah said: “Fisheries management in Ghana in recent times has largely focused on conservation and protection of the fisheries resources, but it is important to mention that until managers shift focus to the welfare of fishers, it will be challenging to achieve set targets.”
In the face of declining fisheries, it had become necessary to pay particular attention to social protection that promoted the well-being of fishers and fishing communities.
“Direct cash transfer for the weak and the aged, pension, and disability schemes is much needed. Subsidised inputs for fishers are important and can be reengineered to promote responsible fishing,” he said, and that alternative livelihoods for fishers need increased attention and investments, among other things.
He appealed to all fishers to form cooperative societies to provide and facilitate interventions that promote the welfare of fishers while paying attention to their health and education of their children.
There were solidarity messages from the Fisheries Commission, the Shama District Chief Executive, and the Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah.
GNA