The Deputy Director at the Fisheries Commission has said the Commission has observed with grave concern, a sharp decline in fish production and trade in the country. Madam Doris Yeboah told Adom News that Ghana’s aquatic activities have been abused for far too long, and it was high time pragmatic measures were put in place to streamline the operations of fishermen. She was speaking on the sidelines of a two-day workshop for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as selected media houses, organized by the Agric Ministry in Tema. Madam Yeboah disclosed that the Fisheries Commission had established a five-year Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Plan to help solve the multiple challenges facing the sector, and take advantage of opportunities. She expressed worry that fishing in the coastal areas was hampered by lack of resources and erratic supply of pre-mix fuel. She recounted instances where most fishermen had incurred debts due to lack of training. As part of the plan, the Commission would institute a licensing scheme to regulate fishing activities and help re-generate the country’s aquatic atmosphere. "At the moment we are not giving fishes the chance to re-produce, fishermen are always mounting pressure on them and always catching and catching, which is not a good practice and must be checked," she stated She added that government through the plan, would create an alternative livelihood programme for fishermen who would be affected during the period to enter into other ventures either than fishing. The project is expected to take off in July this year to conserve the country’s aquatic system and curb illegal fishing practices such as light fishing. Story: Afia Akyere/Adom News