13 Fishermen Arrested

THE PRAMPRAM District Police Command in the Dangbe West District of the Greater Accra Region has arrested 13 persons for allegedly practicing illegal fishing along the Ningo- Prampram high seas. The suspects� names were given as Richard Nartey, David Ahlorka, Deatey Agoke, Obed Amekugbe, Gbenarty Attah Akle, Joseph Agbakra and Soti Francis. The rest are Daniel Nortey, John Avenyo, Fred Dugbatey, Doku Kwao, Simon Torkole and Emmanuel Torkole, all fishermen and residents of Ada. They were said to have fixed high powered Yamaha generators and attached electrical bulbs to iron bars on their canoes for their alleged illegal activities, when they were arrested by task force personnel and sent to the said police station. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abraham Kwao, Prampram Police Commander, briefing Daily Guide, noted that a task force made up of the Ningo-Prampram fishermen, by name Old-Ningo Vigilante Group, was organised to put an end to illegal fishing activities in the area. The task force arrested the suspects on the high seas at about 12:30 am on August 21, 2011 during their routine patrol. According to him, the suspects were using illegal fishing methods, contrary to the laid down fisheries regulations (LI 1968) which forbid fishing with light, when they were arrested. He warned that the committee would continue to seize properties of recalcitrant fishermen who flouted the fisheries law, and advised fishermen to abide by the fisheries regulations. ASP Kwao said the 13 suspects had currently been transferred to the Tema Regional Police Command, together with their gadgets, to assist in further investigations, adding that they would be arraigned when investigations into the case were concluded.