The Municipal Chief Executive for Nzema East, Mr James Atta Kakra Baidoe, says government is determined to protect fisheries resources and enforce the fisheries laws to sustain livelihoods of coastal communities.

 He warned unscrupulous fisher-folks, who were still engaging in illegal fishing practices such as light fishing, use of carbide, monofilament nets, dynamite and DDT to desist from the acts before the law caught up with them.

Mr Baidoe gave the warning at the Fourth Edition of the Annual Regatta for fisher-folks of the six coastal districts in the Western Region, at Miemia in the Ahanta West District.

It was organised by Tullow Ghana Limited (TGL) and the Jubilee Partners in collaboration with the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC).

The event aimed at strengthening friendship and togetherness among the fisher-folks in the region to accelerate national development.

It was also to educate them on the dangers of bad fishing practices and sensitize them on the fisheries laws to ensure compliance.

The participating districts included Jomoro, Ellembelle, Nzema East, Ahanta West, Sekondi-Takoradi and Shama.

They took part in canoe race, orange picking and tug-of-peace which generated a lot of excitement among the teams and spectators at Miemia beach.

Teams that excelled were presented with cash and assorted items.

Mr Baidoe said the government was keen on checking light-fishing, since the practice had adverse effects on the fishing industry.

Nana Kojo Kondua IV, Western Regional Chairman of GNCFC, said there was the need for effective fisheries governance to sustain the fisheries resources, because over four million Ghanaians were engaged in fishing for their livelihoods, while 67 per cent of animal protein came from fish stock.

He commended Tullow Ghana Limited, the Jubilee Partners, Friends of the Nation, Centre for Coastal Resources and Hen Mpoano for championing the course of fishermen and instituting the ceremony to foster togetherness among the fisher-folks in the region.

The team from Ellembelle District won the tug-of-peace contest while Nzema East team won the canoe race.
 
GNA