Winneba: Fishermen bemoan effects of closed fishing season

The bustling shores of Winneba, a historic fishing community in the Central Region once again is alive with activity since the closed fishing season is over.

The fishermen have resumed their mundane routine. Yet for the many here, the return to the waters has not brought the abundance they had hoped for.

The frustration of the fishermen is palpable as a community that relies heavily on fishing for their livelihood. They attributed the poor yields to the timing of the closed season.

“The time for the closing season is very bad. The authorities have to listen to the fishermen and not only use theories,” Kojo Mbir lamented.

“We catch more fishes in July. The closed season should have been in June and opened in July” Kwame Tetteh advised.

The practice of light fishing, where powerful lights are used to attract fishes, continues to persist. The fisherfolks revealed that despite their efforts to stop others from the practice, it has proven futile and therefore call on the government for stricter policies and regulations to curb the issue.

“The practice of light fishing is depleting fish stocks from the sea,” Uncle Appiah stated.
“We chase away those who use lights for fishing, but it always ends in a fight,” Kwaku Nketiah expressed.

“Light fishing is undermining the very effort of closed season, causing significant harm to our sea,” Kwasi Mark mentioned.

Additionally, the fishermen raised concerns about the improper construction of a wharf and other issues affecting them.

“We wanted a proper wharf, but they built a dugout instead. Now, our canoes get damaged when the sea level rises due to the poor construction,” Kojo Mbir again said.

The fishing community of Winneba faces numerous challenges and is urging the government to consider their needs.

Balancing environmental sustainability with the needs of coastal communities will require ongoing dialogue, collaboration and a commitment to protecting the future of both the sea and the people who depend on it.