Fishermen in the coastal towns of Dixcove and Axim, in the Western Region have indicated that they expected bumper fish catch during the peak season in August and September this year.
According to them, they have for the past six months not experienced a bumper harvest, though the season started well with the catching of some herrings but that was not sustained.
However, they are of the opinion that the current weather condition holds promise of a good catch for them since the cold current brings nutrients to the sea surface.
“Fish follow these nutrients in their numbers to the surface, making them easy target for fishermen”, they indicated.
Currently, they said, fishermen who operate in the areas return from their fishing expedition with 20 to 40 crates of herrings and salmon, adding “But from August to September, the peak season, we expect to be landing about 200 crates from each expedition”.
This came to light when DAILY GUIDE interacted with some of the fishermen in the two coastal towns in the region to find out whether they were experiencing bumper harvest particularly during the current weather condition. The fishermen, speaking to the paper in separate interviews, lamented that during the lean season they could sail as far as Aflao and Ivory Coast and return with only few crates of fish which were sold at higher prices.
“But during the peak season, fishmongers even dictate the price of the fish and since we have no alternative we agree to their prices because of the increase in catch. We are hoping to catch fish of different species, including tuna, red fish, cassava fish, and salmon among others”, they stressed.
Nana Essel, Chief Fisherman at Dixcove claimed that the moon was bright and expected it to dim for a bumper season within which period they would increase their catch.
He described the pre-mix situation as “just alright in cost and availability” to the fishermen in the area and other fishing communities in the region.
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