Akosua Village (C/R), Feb. 3, GNA - A new fisheries regulation will be put before parliament soon to give effect to the fisheries Act 625 that will help to control unlawful fishing practices.

Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Fisheries, announced this at the World Wetlands Day celebration held at Akosua Village in Winneba in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District of the Central Region.

She said the new regulation when approved by Parliament would make it an offence for fishermen who fish with light and mosquito nets to be prosecuted.

The Wetlands Day celebration was on the theme: "Wetlands support fisheries; keep them healthy".

Mrs Asmah said the fishing industry had enormous problems that required the involvement of all and sundry to help solve them to ensure rapid development of the sector.

The Minister called on the chiefs, opinion leaders, assembly members, politicians, civil society groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help create the necessary awareness among members of the various fishing communities in the country. She commended the fishing communities in the Central Region particularly the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assembly for making the programme a success.

Mr Solomon Kwashie Abbam Quaye, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Awutu-Efutu-Senya, warned people in an around Winneba against dumping of refuse into the Muni Lagoon and the beaches, saying such acts undermined the efforts of the government and the Department of Wildlife to maintain a clean ecology.

The DCE announced that as part of efforts to maintain the beaches and the Muni Lagoon to attract tourists, five people had been arrested for flouting the District Assembly bye-laws by dumping waste at the beach.

According to the DCE the suspects would be arraigned before court to face the full rigorous of the law to serve as deterrent to others. Neenyi Ghartey VII, Omanhene of Effutu Traditional Area who presided, charged the residents of Winneba and surrounding communities to heed the warning and advice.

He urged them to assist the District Assembly to protect and preserve the lagoon and the beach to ensure a sound environmental hygiene.