Accra: The Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) has urged the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) to urgently convene broad-based consultations with fishers and other stakeholders to address the growing concerns of illegal fishing practices.
According to Ghana News Agency, CaFGOAG stated that such broad-based consultations and inclusive dialogue within the artisanal sector before, during, and after the closed season would help build trust, improve compliance, and ensure that management measures yield the intended results. The association recognized the ministry's directive to artisanal fishers to observe the traditional fishing holiday and engage in legal and responsible fishing practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The association emphasized the importance of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of CaFGOAG's call for artisanal fishers, particularly canoe owners across the country, to respect and comply with the ministry's directive. CaFGOAG reminded artisanal fishers that their collective future depends on the responsible stewardship of Ghana's marine resources.
CaFGOAG noted that the broad-based consultations would be instrumental in building trust, improving compliance, and ensuring that management measures achieve the intended outcomes. The association assured its commitment to supporting sustainable fisheries management and pledged to continue working with the Ministry, the Fisheries Commission, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society actors to promote legal and responsible fishing.
