Policy makers should concentrate on measures to improve fish stocks in the country instead of promising fishermen technologies to harvest more fish, Dr Joseph Padi, a research scientist, has said.

He said there was need to grow fish now to ensure increased fish production and livelihood for the fisher folks.

Dr Padi, who is a researcher at the Water Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR – WRI), said this at an annual seminar of the CSIR – WRI in Tamale, during a presentation on the topic: “Use of Proven Technologies and Products Diversification to boost Aquaculture Production in Northern Region”.

The seminar, which was attended by public and private agencies, including civil society organizations involved in the water sector, was to introduce CSIR – WRI’s activities to its stakeholders to forge a closer collaboration towards development of water resources in the country.

He said the current trend of fish harvesting in the country showed a depletion of fish stocks through over-fishing, destruction of fish habitat and pollution amongst others, resulting in fish hunger in the country.

Dr Padi, therefore, called for policies to reverse the trend as well as improved cage construction to grow more fish in the country.

Dr Felix Akpabey, Officer in-charge of CSIR – WRI, who also made a presentation, said bilharzia infections were high amongst people living on islands located at the Volta Estuary at Ada.

He said even though efforts were being pursued to kill the weeds that caused bilharzia at the islands, there was need for drastic measures to arrest the situation.