The World Fisheries Day 2024 has been celebrated in Accra with a call on stakeholders to play their roles in order to develop the country's economy.
The day is celebrated to create awareness about threats such as "overfishing, habitat destruction, and illegal fishing practices." Additionally, it emphasises empowering small-scale fishers, often among the most marginalised communities worldwide.
Senior Fisheries Officer for the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Regional Office for Africa, Ndiaga Gueye, said there was the need to recognise the value of fisheries and the responsibility to preserve them for future generations.
He said the fishing was the backbone of food security and a vital source of livelihood for millions. "Small-scale fisheries dominate the sector, providing affordable food, creating jobs, and supporting the growth of coastal and inland communities, hundreds of thousands of families depend on fishing, processing, and trading for their survival," he explained.