Weija (GAR), Sept. 8, GNA - Nii Amasa Namoale, Deputy Minister of Agriculture in-charge-of Fisheries, has appealed to fishermen to desist from using monofilament fishing nets (fishing nets made of rubber) because they cannot be disposed of easily.

He noted that the monofilament nets had the tendency to continuously catch fishes even when they were not in use since they could not decompose easily.

Nii Namoale made the appeal when he interacted with fishermen from four landing sites in the Ga South Municipality, namely Weija Lake located at Mahean, Bortianor, Oshiyie and Kokrobite to acquaint himself with their challenges.

He urged them to use multifilament nets made of nylon which was eco-friendly and recommended internationally.

Nii Namoale noted that government had set up a task force comprising the police, navy and Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to arrest culprits who flouted fishing regulations such as light fishing, the use of explosives and pair trawling.

He appealed to the fishermen to fully support the Fisheries Regulation 2010 as it would help to sustain the industry for future use.

"It is because of your welfare and livelihood that we are enforcing the Fisheries Act 628," he added.

Nii Namoale pledged to collaborate with the assembly to reconstitute the Premix Committee to ensure fair distribution devoid of politics to the fishermen.

He urged the assembly to come out with modalities to obtain loans on favourable terms for fishermen to enable them to purchase multifilament nets which was more expensive compared to the monofilament nets.

Sherriff Otto Dodoo, Ga South Municipal Chief Executive, expressed appreciation for the visit, saying that it would enable the fishermen to disabuse their minds of wrong notions about their operations and government's efforts to support the fishing industry.

He appealed to terrazzo manufacturers to desist from collecting sand along the beaches because culprits would be arrested and prosecuted. The fishermen expressed their desire for the monofilament nets because it is affordable, catches more fishes and could be used in light fishing compared to the multifilament nets.

They appealed to government to continue with the arrest and prosecution of those who still indulged in malpractices affecting the industry.