Mr Ato Cudjoe, the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Acqua-Culture, who gave the assurance, called on chief fishermen in the various fishing communities to help government to check the use of dynamite, DDT, lights and other unapproved chemicals.

Mr Cudjoe, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ekumfi, was interacting with the media during this year's Aboakyer Festival of the chiefs and the people of Effutu Traditional Area at Winneba.

He appealed to fishermen and cautioned big trawlers operating on the high seas to adhere strictly to the one month close season to facilitate the growth of the fishing industry.

He said the closure was not government's intention to starve fishermen, but rather help the small fishes to grow to increase catch.

Mr Cudjoe said the close season was not observed last year due to political and socio-economic factors and the chief fishermen and the fishing community had agreed to the close season this year after series of foras and sensitisation programmes the Ministry organised.

He called on the chief fishermen to increase the education in the various fishing communities on the importance of the close season.

The Deputy Minister said the Government had put in place measures to ensure regular supply of premix fuel, which had become a major problem facing fishermen, adding that it would never neglect them because they played important roles in the economy.

He said plans were underway for work to commence in August on a landing beach project at Winneba while more outboard motors and modern fishing nets would be supplied at reduced prices to enhance their work.

Mr Cudjoe said the construction of the landing beach would create employment opportunities for the youth in Winneba and beyond.

On the Aboakyer Festival, the Deputy Minister commended the chiefs and people for the peaceful celebration of the Festival and called on them to bury their differences and work as a team to move the area forward.