By Alex Adi
It was an opportunity for Fishermen and fish processors to exhibit fish products and also deliberate on ways to promote sustainable fisheries and Aquaculture sector at the just ended fish festival in Accra.
The festival, which is the third edition was on the theme: ‘Promoting Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture for National Development’ and attracted all interested groups in the fisheries sector.
The fisheries sector has over the years contributed to the economic development of Ghana. The sector has supported the livelihoods of more than three million Ghanaians along the fisheries and aquaculture value chain, with fish contributing 1.04 per cent to Ghana’s GDP in 2021.
According to reports from the Ministry of fisheries and Aquaculture, the sector, in spite of its significance had not achieved its full potential, with poverty still high in many fishing communities in Ghana.
Though the marine and inland fisheries resources are showing signs of full exploitation or over-exploitation, aquaculture production is also constrained by factors such as limited access to good quality fingerlings, high cost of fish feed, inadequate funding for research and disease outbreaks.
The two-day event was to showcase the potential in the fisheries sector and also celebrate fishermen and fish processors. Apart from the exhibitors, including fish farmers, fish processors and fish traders who had displayed a variety of fishes and fish products, the event also attracted dealers in fishing and fish farming materials such as fish feed, fishing nets among others.
This year has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture to enhance global awareness to support the contribution of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture to sustainable development.