The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development says it has intensified its engagement with stakeholders in preparation for the 2024 closed fishing season.

According to the sector minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson, educational efforts about the exercise have been extended to the majority of fishermen.

The ministry has scheduled the 2024 closed fishing season for canoes and inshore vessels from July 1 to July 31. Industrial trawlers will observe the closed season for two months, from July 1 to August 31.

Speaking to the media, Mavis Hawa Koomson emphasized that fishermen have been well-informed ahead of this year's exercise.

She added that the Ministry aims to avoid disagreements with the fishermen, given the extensive sensitisation and engagement efforts undertaken.

“We have expanded it this year. We used to bring only a few executives but this time, we added some of the other members and the whole room was full so I believe the education has gone deeper than it has always been."

“Recently, I went to Sekondi and I told them about it and we are still sending them messages and I am also using this platform to inform them again that we should be used to the closed season by now since we know it is very beneficial to us," she said.