CHIEF FISHERMENIN CR HOLD MEETING (PAGE 20)

Story: Joe Okyere, Cape Coast

FISHERMEN in the Central Region have been advised to desist from politicising problems that affect their occupation, since that will not be in their interest.
The Special Assistant to the Central Regional Minister, Mr Ken Nunoo, gave the advice at a meeting with chief fishermen from the region in Cape Coast.
He said problems affecting fishermen and farmers were so dear to the economy that any trivialities could endanger the future of the country.
Mr Nunoo reminded fishermen of the various government interventions, such as subsidy on premix fuel, credit facilities for fishing inputs and construction of landing ports, to address their problems to sustain the industry.
He deplored the attitude of some fishermen groups, who were trying to manipulate and deceive others as the 2008 elections drew near.
He cautioned them to desist from the temptation of a group describing itself as “in-shore fishermen”, who were calling for a demonstration against the sector ministry.
According to Mr Nunoo, such calls were highly unwarranted and would not serve their interest when their concerns were being addressed.
At the meeting, the chief fishermen reiterated their call on the government to regulate the operations of both small and big trawlers.
They stressed the need for trawlers to put a stop to combining trawling and other activities, which impeded the operations of canoe fishermen and the fishing industry as a whole for the sustenance of their livelihood.
Both parties agreed to send a delegation to the sector minister to discuss how best to address their concerns.