Tema, Sept 4, GNA - Members of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) have threatened to boycott the Farmers' Awards Day celebrations if fishermen were not recognised for their immense contribution to the economy.

They complained that ever since the day was instituted, fishermen and members of the NAFAG have never been considered for awards and that the situation was a disincentive to them.

"We will, therefore, institute our own fishermen's day if fishermen will not be considered in the Farmers' Day celebration", Mr Peter Dadson of the Ocean Fisheries and a member of the NAFAG said during an open forum organised by Association to interact with Mr Edward Martey Akita, Minister of State of Fisheries at Tema.

The Minister was holding his maiden meeting with the members to deliberate on issues impeding the operations of its members. The meeting also discussed the disposing of fish into the sea as a result of bumper catch.

Mr Dadson said the Association might stop contributing to the Agriculture Development Levy (ADL) that is deducted from imported fish, should the government continue to regard it as a governmental levy.

Mr Dadson explained that the Association instituted a levy of 10 million cedis on 1,000 tonnes of imported fish for the development of the fishing industry, adding that although the levy had not been approved by Parliament, it has been "hijacked" by the government. The fishermen complained about lack of icing plant to facilitate the storing of fish during the bumper season, as well as what they termed cumbersome bureaucracy in processing documents and the poor management of pre-fix fuel, among other issues.

Mr Robert Kwamina Ocran, Executive Director of Mankoadze Fisheries, appealed to the Minister to organise a three-day seminar for NAFAG members to explain the Fisheries Law 625 and other new directives regarding fish exports as well as issues relating to expatriate fishermen to them.

Mr Akita promised that this time round, the Farmers' Day celebration would take a different turn "because there is a well selected committee" which would select the right people to meet the expectations and aspirations of fishermen.

The Minister said while studying the factors impeding progress of the fishing industry with a view to finding a collaborative solution, he would not countenance the spreading of wrong information. He urged those who have been telling lies to stop the practice forthwith.

Mr Akita said government was losing huge foreign exchange through dubious deals in the fishing industry and asked those flouting the fisheries law 625 with impunity to stop the practice because the law would catch up with them.

He, therefore, entreated all fishing companies to be conversant with the fisheries law and act accordingly to promote the growth of the sector.