Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ACCRA561
2008-04-29 16:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Accra
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAR #0561/01 1201642 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 291642Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6460
UNCLAS ACCRA 000561
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV XA CM GH
SUBJECT: REGIONAL FISHIERIES NEWS
UNCLAS ACCRA 000561
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV XA CM GH
SUBJECT: REGIONAL FISHIERIES NEWS
1. SUMMARY: Chinese industrial fishing practices off the
coast of Cameroon are described as destructive and
threatening. Ghanaian fishermen allege Chinese commercial
trawling methods are damaging the artisanal fishing
equipment. China completes site survey in Ghana for
potential aquaculture sites. Finally, the completed design
for 14 modern fish landing sites is delivered. END SUMMARY.
Chinese commercial fishing in Cameroon
--------------
2. On April 22, the press reported that the general
manager of the Cameroon Development Corporation, Mr. Henry
Njalla Quan, met with the Inspector General at the Ministry
of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Mr. Daniel
Awum Anaraban, in Limbe to launch a new fisheries data
collections initiative aimed at improving sector assessment
and monitoring. Mr. Quan used the occasion to urge the GoC
to take action to reduce the impact of Chinese industrial
fishing practices in Cameroonian coastal waters. Mr. Quan
alleged that the Chinese are operating inside a three
nautical mile exclusion zone reserved for artisanal fishing
activity and the illegal fishing threatens future fish
stocks. (COMMENT: Collection of fish catch statistics for
analysis supports development of science-based policy for
fisheries management. Comprehensive fisheries monitoring,
control and surveillance coupled with effective law
enforcement allow the use of best management practices for
sustainable fish stocks. END COMMENT).
Chinese and Ghanaian fishermen compete
--------------
3. On April 13, the press reported allegations of Chinese
commercial fishing activities destroying artisanal fishing
equipment. The REO confirmed the allegations with the
Fisheries Department Director of monitoring, control and
surveillance, Mr. Papa Yaw Atobrah. The artisanal fishing
equipment has been damaged as a result of commercial
fishing activities involving the Chinese. Pair trawling, a
technique by which two trawlers employ a single trawl net
to sweep a vast area between the vessels is effective but
also destructive when used in shallow depths of 30 meters
or less, in this case, reserved for artesian fishing
activities. It is interesting to note that in 2004 there
were 86 registered commercial fishing vessels operating in
the territorial waters of Ghana, today there are 104 and
there are about 13,000 registered artesian fishing canoes
using some of the same fishing ground. The potential for
conflict seems to be increasing. (COMMENT: Sustainable
fisheries management practices can contribute to increased
food security. Conversely, lack of maritime enforcement
capacity can lead to an imbalance of marine natural
resources and increased conflict on the open seas.
Encouraged cooperation between the Ministry of Fisheries
and the Ministry of Defense for improved joint mission
planning and patrols could help to improve maritime domain
awareness, assist in avoiding conflict and help sustain the
Ghanaian fisheries stocks. END COMMENT).
Chinese-Ghanaian aquaculture partnership
--------------
4. Mr. Pierre Coussey, Advisor to the Minister of
Fisheries in Ghana, confirmed China completed site surveys
in the Western region to identify potential sites to
support aqua culture. The total investment will be about
45 million dollars and will make use of Chinese financing
in the form of loans. The project will utilize about 2000
hectares in total and produce about 15,000 tons of Tilapia
per year for domestic consumption. He also alluded to
another partnership by which Salt resistant Tilapia small
fry will be cultivated in Ghana and shipped to China for
Coastal aquaculture operations.
Fish landing sites
--------------
5. Finally, the master plan and final designs for 14
modern fish landing sites and 6 fishing port facilities
were presented to the Ministry of Fisheries by the
consultant, DHV Holland. The estimated cost for
construction is around $100 million and the facilities will
include: administrative offices, fuel depot, cold storage
facility, equipment maintenance area, solid waste area,
fish market and daycare facilities. The infrastructure
improvements are designed to enhance the fishing sector,
improve landing site safety and to assist in controlling
coastal erosion. The chosen sites for the improvements
are: Axim, Elmina, Dixcove, Moree, Mumford, Winneba, Senya,
Beraku, Gomoa, Fetteh, Jamestown, Teshie, Ada, Keta,
Dzemeni, and Tapa Abotosase. (COMMENT: The infrastructure
improvement projects have been on the drawing board for
about one year and are desperately needed. It is not clear
how the project finances will be structured, perhaps
another public-private partnership. END COMMENT).
BRIDGEWATER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV XA CM GH
SUBJECT: REGIONAL FISHIERIES NEWS
1. SUMMARY: Chinese industrial fishing practices off the
coast of Cameroon are described as destructive and
threatening. Ghanaian fishermen allege Chinese commercial
trawling methods are damaging the artisanal fishing
equipment. China completes site survey in Ghana for
potential aquaculture sites. Finally, the completed design
for 14 modern fish landing sites is delivered. END SUMMARY.
Chinese commercial fishing in Cameroon
--------------
2. On April 22, the press reported that the general
manager of the Cameroon Development Corporation, Mr. Henry
Njalla Quan, met with the Inspector General at the Ministry
of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Mr. Daniel
Awum Anaraban, in Limbe to launch a new fisheries data
collections initiative aimed at improving sector assessment
and monitoring. Mr. Quan used the occasion to urge the GoC
to take action to reduce the impact of Chinese industrial
fishing practices in Cameroonian coastal waters. Mr. Quan
alleged that the Chinese are operating inside a three
nautical mile exclusion zone reserved for artisanal fishing
activity and the illegal fishing threatens future fish
stocks. (COMMENT: Collection of fish catch statistics for
analysis supports development of science-based policy for
fisheries management. Comprehensive fisheries monitoring,
control and surveillance coupled with effective law
enforcement allow the use of best management practices for
sustainable fish stocks. END COMMENT).
Chinese and Ghanaian fishermen compete
--------------
3. On April 13, the press reported allegations of Chinese
commercial fishing activities destroying artisanal fishing
equipment. The REO confirmed the allegations with the
Fisheries Department Director of monitoring, control and
surveillance, Mr. Papa Yaw Atobrah. The artisanal fishing
equipment has been damaged as a result of commercial
fishing activities involving the Chinese. Pair trawling, a
technique by which two trawlers employ a single trawl net
to sweep a vast area between the vessels is effective but
also destructive when used in shallow depths of 30 meters
or less, in this case, reserved for artesian fishing
activities. It is interesting to note that in 2004 there
were 86 registered commercial fishing vessels operating in
the territorial waters of Ghana, today there are 104 and
there are about 13,000 registered artesian fishing canoes
using some of the same fishing ground. The potential for
conflict seems to be increasing. (COMMENT: Sustainable
fisheries management practices can contribute to increased
food security. Conversely, lack of maritime enforcement
capacity can lead to an imbalance of marine natural
resources and increased conflict on the open seas.
Encouraged cooperation between the Ministry of Fisheries
and the Ministry of Defense for improved joint mission
planning and patrols could help to improve maritime domain
awareness, assist in avoiding conflict and help sustain the
Ghanaian fisheries stocks. END COMMENT).
Chinese-Ghanaian aquaculture partnership
--------------
4. Mr. Pierre Coussey, Advisor to the Minister of
Fisheries in Ghana, confirmed China completed site surveys
in the Western region to identify potential sites to
support aqua culture. The total investment will be about
45 million dollars and will make use of Chinese financing
in the form of loans. The project will utilize about 2000
hectares in total and produce about 15,000 tons of Tilapia
per year for domestic consumption. He also alluded to
another partnership by which Salt resistant Tilapia small
fry will be cultivated in Ghana and shipped to China for
Coastal aquaculture operations.
Fish landing sites
--------------
5. Finally, the master plan and final designs for 14
modern fish landing sites and 6 fishing port facilities
were presented to the Ministry of Fisheries by the
consultant, DHV Holland. The estimated cost for
construction is around $100 million and the facilities will
include: administrative offices, fuel depot, cold storage
facility, equipment maintenance area, solid waste area,
fish market and daycare facilities. The infrastructure
improvements are designed to enhance the fishing sector,
improve landing site safety and to assist in controlling
coastal erosion. The chosen sites for the improvements
are: Axim, Elmina, Dixcove, Moree, Mumford, Winneba, Senya,
Beraku, Gomoa, Fetteh, Jamestown, Teshie, Ada, Keta,
Dzemeni, and Tapa Abotosase. (COMMENT: The infrastructure
improvement projects have been on the drawing board for
about one year and are desperately needed. It is not clear
how the project finances will be structured, perhaps
another public-private partnership. END COMMENT).
BRIDGEWATER