Mumford (C/R), March 26, GNA - The 2007 National Best Fisherman, Mr. Kow Osafo-Kotu, has appealed to fishermen to stay away from the Songa Saturn Oil Rig at Cape Three Point in the Western Region. Mr. Osafo-Kotu told the GNA in an interview at Mumford that it was irresponsible on the part of some fishermen to use explosives near the rig.

He also condemned activities of some fishermen who cooked on the Single Point Mooring, a facility that received oil from vessels on high seas and pump it into the Thermal Plant at Aboadze.

Mr. Osafo-Kotu reminded his colleagues that it was illegal to fish with explosives and cooking on the Single Point Mooring could cause fire at the thermal plant and this could affect electricity supply throughout the country.

He said these illegal activities had compelled the government to set up a Navy Task Force, at high cost, to patrol the high seas. Mr Osafo-Kotu said he was initiating a move to form best fisherman award winners' association to recommend to the government some measures to take to arrest the continuous depletion of marine resources. He said the association would also give members the opportunity to impart their experiences to other fishermen.