Takoradi, Nov 8, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Yamoah Kyei, Programmes Coordinator, Friends of the Nation, a non-governmental organization, said on Monday that wetlands were not waste lands and they should be protected to ensure any pollution or destruction would endanger such species.

Mr Kyei was speaking at a day's workshop organized by the NGO for journalists on governance issues in the fisheries sector as well as the fishery policy in the Western Region.

The workshop would also set the stage for the media to join in efforts to promote fishing and reducing poverty in coastal communities. Mr Kyei said he was not happy that some wetlands had been converted into industrial sites and for other purposes adding, "such activities will definitely deplete the marine industry". He appealed to stakeholders in the marine industry to advocate and protect such water bodies to avert the level of depletion of fish stock. 8 Nov. 2010