The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has ramped up its stakeholder engagement efforts in preparation for the 2024 closed fishing season. 

Sector Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson revealed that extensive educational initiatives have been undertaken to ensure fishermen are well-informed about the upcoming exercise.

The closed fishing season is slated to run from July 1 to July 31 for canoes and inshore vessels, while industrial trawlers will observe a two-month closure from Monday, 1 July to Wednesday, 31 August 2024.

Speaking to the media, the Minister emphasised the comprehensive outreach conducted this year to ensure all fishermen are adequately briefed about the closed season.

 “We have expanded it this year. We used to bring only a few executives but this time, we added some of the other members and the whole room was full so I believe the education has gone deeper than it has always been,” she stated.

Ms. Koomson highlighted recent efforts to disseminate information directly to fishing communities.

“Recently, I went to Sekondi and I told them about it and we are still sending them messages. I am also using this platform to inform them again that we should be used to the closed season by now since we know it is very beneficial to us,” she added.