Minister queries release of unauthorised fishing vessel

The Ministry of Fisheries has expressed concern about the release of a foreign vessel, which had been illegally fishing in Ghanaian waters, by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). The GPHA reportedly ignored directives to detain the vessel by the Ministry, in collaboration with National Security and the Attorney General's Department and released the vessel on October 22. The Cambodian-registered fishing vessel, MV Cliff, had been fishing illegally in the Ghanaian waters and selling the fish back to Ghana as imported fish. It was on its last berth to sell the fish that the Ministry directed that it should be detained and investigated. Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Fisheries said the vessel, which on its last trip carried about 2,000 tonnes of fish, escaped without paying a penalty of between 250,000 dollars and two million dollars for illegally operating. Mrs Asmah, who thought the vessel was still being held at the Tema port, visited there only to hear to her surprise that the it had sailed off on October 22 on the authorisation of the GPHA. The Minister who was visibly angry described the action by the GPHA as committing a serious national blunder and that she would inform Cabinet to take immediate action. Accompanied by her Deputy, Mr Kofi Edusei Poku and other officials, Mrs Asmah said the order for the detention of the vessel was based on information from international collaborators that it had been fishing illegally in Ghanaians waters and selling back its catch to local vessels as though it were imported fish. The vessel has reportedly changed its name four times to avoid being recognised while transacting the illegal business, she added. She said based on this information, the Ministry in accordance with the fisheries Act, alerted National Security and the Attorney General's Department and an embargo was placed on the vessel which was subsequently detained at the Tema Fishing Harbour. Mrs Asmah, who expressed disappointment about the vessel's release, said the Ghana Navy would be asked to relocate and bring it back if possible. Mr Jojo Amedume, Operational Manager of the Fishing Harbour branch of the GPHA, said the vessel, which had berthed to discharge its contents last Thursday had occupied operational dock, thereby obstructing other vessels and subsequently leading to diversion to the commercial berth. Mr Amedume said on Monday at about 1700 hours, the Dock Master went on board the vessel and after discussions with other top port officials, the vessel was allowed to sail off, after satisfying all requirements with the Customs Excise and Preventive Service, Immigration Service, and the GPHA.