Fishermen along the west coast of the country are said to have intensified their use of dynamite , carbide and other poisonous substances in their fishing activities, with dangerous health and environmental consequences.

According to some fishmongers and consumers in the Western region , the substances being used by the fishermen have affected the quality of the fish sold to the public.


Some fishmongers at the forum corroborated the reports and called on the government to institute more stringent measures to deter those who had resorted to those dangerous fishing methods.

A leading member of the regional fishmongers association, Madam Akua Nsabah , noted that fish which landed at some of the sites in the region lately were contaminated with the chemical contents of dynamite and carbides, which the fishermen use to enhance their catch.


She said some of their members had incurred huge debts as a result,explaining that  the dynamite and carbide methods of fishing cause the fish to rot soon after harvest.

"Until recently we could wait till evening to smoke the fish we bought in the day but now when we take delivery of the fish in the morning, we have to smoke it before 1pm, else it would all go bad," she said.

Madam Nsabah said the fish harvested with such chemicals also break into pieces when exposed to the smoke and heat, thereby affecting their prices and sales.


"We are forced to say this because when the men return from fishing and supply the contaminated fish, they do not care again, the only thing they demand from us is their money", she said.

Other fishmongers also could not hide their frustration and urged the deputy minister to help convey their message to the President and the Minister of Health.

The chief fishermen of the region also confirmed the concerns of the women and registered their disapproval of the method, which they blamed on a few greedy and lazy fishermen.


Some of the fishermen said there was lack of control on the sea because of the inability of the Ghana Navy to go on periodic patrols.

Nana Conduah IV, Chief Fisherman of the Abuesi B in the Shama District in the Western Region, said the situation was serious and everything possible must be done to halt the activities of those self-seeking fisher folks.

He said he had personally taken the challenge to find out the health implications and educated his members on the harmful effects but there was no indication that the practice would stop now or later.

At Lower Axim in the Nzema East Municipality, Nana Kwesi Bin said  they had instituted measures to endure that anybody caught in the act was handed to the police.

Mr Emmanuel Amah Buah assured the people that he would take up the issue with the appropriate authorities to educate the people on effects of carbide and dynamite on consumers of contaminated fish.

He also gave the assurance that the government would equip the Ghana Navy to check all illegal activities of fishermen.

Daily Graphic

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