A confrontation between the Chinese captain of a fishing trawler and artisanal fishermen at Tema Manhean at dawn yesterday, over the damaged net of the local fishermen, led to them detaining the captain and, in turn, the arrest of some of the fishermen by the police. However, the matter is now to be settled amicably by the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG). Briefing the Times here yesterday about the incident, Richster Amarfio, a member of the Canoe Fishing Management Committee of Tema, said the patth of the artisanal fishermen, fishing for anchovies near the Tema harbour breakwater, was crossed by the trawler resulting in the trawler’s propeller damaging their net, estimated to cost about GH¢6,000. However, none of the 14 artisanal fishermen was hurt. It is learnt that at this time of the year, the Tuna fish which the trawlers fish for, feed on anchovies which are close to the shore and that must be why the trawler crossed the path of the fishermen. Mr Amarfio said following the incident, the artisanal fishermen detained the captain and prevailed on him to pay for their damaged net, but due to a misunderstanding the matter was referred to the chief fisherman. Unable also to resolve the issue there, they went to the Fishing Harbour Police for settlement. Mr Amarfio said at the police station, five of the artisanal fishermen were detained for about an hour and twenty minutes for their role in arresting the captain of the trawler. At that stage, Flt. Lt. Nii Tackie, president of the NAFAG, called at the police station to secure the release of the fishermen. The artisanal fishermen and Afrik Shandong Limited, owners of the trawler, have agreed to settle the matter under the auspices of the NAFAG on Wednesday. Source: The Ghanaian Times