The difference between developed and developing nations is, unarguably, that the one is propelled by science and technological innovations, while the other is dragged down by the inadequate attention to those. That has been the case with Ghana 65 years after independence.
Just last week, the The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, has announced that it will observe the 2022 closed season from July to August, this year.
The term “closed season” also known as “biological rest period”, refers to the stopping of fishing activities during the spawning period of the stocks.
Closed seasons are observed as a way of reducing fishing pressure on stocks when they are most productive in terms of allowing the fish a chance to lay their eggs to replace the lost population due to fishing and other natural causes.
Every year, the ministry together with its allied agencies, issues this statement to fishermen. Actually, it has become an annual ritual which fisherfolks now look forward to.
What is curious is that, as a country of over 30 million people, still depend largely on nature for our survival and in this case our fish needs.
This, of course, explains the food insecurity ravaging the country, leading to almost excessive dependence on importation of everything, which has a far reaching consequence on our currency.
The implication of this is that the world may have moved on, leaving us behind as far as modern agricultural practice is concerned.
It needs no stressing that in this 21stcentury when technology has made everything easy, countries no longer depend only on nature to support their agriculture.
Agricultural activities are carried out all year round.
Another major challenge holding the country back is, that the country is yet to appreciate fully the importance Research and Development (R&D).
Without mincing words, the progress and development of any nation is largely dependent on R&D.
The ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, should invest in R&D to enable the country produce fingerlings and damp them in the sea, so that they will be fish to harvest all year round, without having to close the sea.
In the considered opinion of this newspaper, closing and opening the sea with all the accompanying fun fair, makes us feel like, as a country we are applying the wrong medication to our wound.
