The 2024 closed fishing season, which began on July 1 and ends on July 31 for canoes and inshore vessels, and on August 31 for industrial trawlers, has brought immense hardship to fishermen in Cape Coast Castle. The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, announced the closure dates earlier this year.

Fishermen in the central region are calling on the government to reconsider the closure month, shifting it from July to May annually. They claim that the current closure period has caused more hardship and challenges than previous years.

The closure has severely affected coastal communities, making it difficult for people to feed their families. Some are forced to steal to survive due to the lack of money. The fishermen urge the Minister for Fisheries and her team to engage with them closely before making decisions.

Furthermore, they request premix fuel to support their fishing activities in the coming days. With the ban on sea activities set to be lifted on August 1, 2024, the fishermen are asking the government to provide premix fuel within the week to facilitate their work.