Sunyani(B/A), July 19, GNA - Government has initiated programmes to meet national target on fish production, Mr Khalid Syalih, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Fisheries said in Sunyani. He said the national fish requirement was 940,500 metric tones annually but production was about 434,855 metric tonnes Mr Syalih announced this when addressing the opening session of a seminar organised for members of Brong Ahafo Co-operative Fish Pond Farmers Society.

The seminar under the theme "Making fish pond a living business," was sponsored by Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund, through Network for Advocacy Development Alternatives, an NGO. Mr Syalih noted that aquaculture that was expected to make up for the deficit contributed only about 1,000 metric tonnes, representing two per cent of national fish production.

He said the Ministry of Fisheries was assisting fish farmers to access good quality fingerlings and loans to expand their businesses. "The contribution of every fish farmer is needed in our determination to make up for the shortfall in supply. Fish farmers should therefore work hard to help revive the industry," he added. Mr Peter Yaw Oppong, President of the society, called for the needed attention to the industry to sustain the economy through reduction in the importation of frozen fish.

He said lack of hatcheries for production of fingerlings of good species was a major problem facing the fishing industry. Mr Wiredu Idris, Executive Secretary of the NGO, said Government recognized the importance of the fishing industry in the growth of the national economy and called for an effective collaboration between relevant authorities and interested groups.

He announced that BUSAC had decided to assist some members of the society to undertake a study tour in China.