VZCZCXYZ0003
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 
 
¶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