Committee presents report on clashes between fishermen groups in Accra
A committee established by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to investigate the disturbances that occurred between fishermen from Ga Mashie and those from Chorkor in May, this year, has called for the prosecution of the fishermen who flouted the established fishing laws.
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It also called for an upward review of the fines imposed on individuals who fell foul of fishing laws from the current 250 penalty units to 1,000 penalty units.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Jonathan Nii Tackie-Komme, in presenting the committee’s findings to the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, said it was also necessary for state attorneys not to drag their feet when prosecuting offences relating to fishing.
To forestall future disturbances, he advocated that an office be set up within the AMA to address problems within the fishing industry.
Background
On May 10, 2014, a dispute that arose between fishermen from Ga Mashie and those from Chorkor resulted in a clash that disturbed the peace in the two communities.
It all began when some fishermen from Ga Mashie accused their colleagues from Chorkor of using light to fish in both shallow and deep sea waters, an action which went contrary to the law.
What was more, the accusers said a quantity of the fish caught by that method and which was deemed to be unwholesome was sent to the James Town Beach at Ga Mashie for sale to the public.
Under the circumstances, the fishermen from Ga Mashie wrote to their colleague fishermen from Chorkor to ban them from landing fish at the James Town Beach.
In the ensuing confusion, two fishermen from Chorkor, namely, Sarpei Lee and Ago Otto, totally disregarded the “ban” imposed on them and docked their canoe at the James Town Beach, resulting in a clash.
An eight-member committee was immediately set up by the AMA to look into the issue and make recommendations.
Findings of the committee
Nii Tackie-Komme said investigations revealed that the fishermen from Chorkor considered the attempt by the fishermen from Ga Mashie to forbid them from landing their fish at the James Town Beach as an insult.
He said the fishermen from Chorkor explained that being indigenes of Ga Mashie themselves, they could not be restrained from landing their fish at James Town by the Ga Mashie fishermen.
He said the Chorkor group admitted using light for fishing but gave the excuse that they did so because the law banning the practice was not enforced.
“They said they were not alone in the practice and complained about Chinese fishing trawlers and in-shore vessels that fished below 20 fathoms as also being guilty of engaging in pair trawling and light fishing, respectively,” he said
Nii Tackie-Komme urged the AMA to implement the recommendations made in order to save fishing activities in the coastal areas of Accra and also bring lasting peace between the two groups.