INTRODUCTION

A pre-departure inspection was conducted on the 21^st December, 2022, at the Tema Fishing Harbour on three trawl vessels; Long Xiang 607, Long Xinag 608, and Long Xiang 609.

The inspection was led by Mr. Samuel Quartey, the Technical Advisor to the Hon. Minister. He conducted the inspection in the company of officers from the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU). This exercise is also in pursuant to Section 76(3) of the Fisheries Act 2002(Act 625) as amended by Act 880 of 2014 where the sector Minister, Hon. Hawa Koomson, issued a Ministerial Directive on the use of fishing gear by Industrial trawl vessels, which has been in force since 1^st September, 2022.

SAMUEL QUARTEY IN BLUE SHIRT AND THE DIRECTOR OF MONITORING CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE DIVISION OF THE FISHERIES COMMISSION CONDUCTING THE INSPECTION ON A FISHING VESSEL

PURPOSE OF THE VISIT

The purpose of the inspection is to perform thorough inspection on the vessels ready to leave on sea to fish. The inspection is to make sure the nets that will be used to fish are what the Ministerial Directive on Trawl gears approve. The inspection is also to inspect the safety of the vessels, which includes the safety equipment approved to be onboard like the appropriate number of life jackets to be onboard. Finally, to check the hatch to make sure it was in the condition for fish to be packaged and stored in them.

TEAM

The inspection was led by Mr. Samuel Quartey, the Technical Advisor to the Honorable Minister, in the company of the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU) which comprises of Fisheries Officers from the Monitoring Control and Surveillance Division (MCSD), and the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division (FSSD).

ACTIVITIES OF THE DAY

The inspection began at 7:10am, on the first vessel Long Xiang 607. First the nets for fishing was inspected, the appropriate nets required according to the Ministerial Directive was measured from all angels. The second place of inspection was the bridge, the team located the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), and it was inspected if it was working without any fault. The documentation of the vessel, like the license was inspected, as well as the documents of the crew that will go on sea. The safety and maintenance of the vessel was inspected, the team inspected the safety equipment required on the vessel, and the team checked the number of life jackets onboard plus the number of surplus. The team proceeded to check the various cabins, and checked the hygienic conditions of the washroom and kitchen.

The team proceeded to the second and then third vessels; Long Xiang 608 and Long Xiang 609 respectively. The team followed the same procedure used to inspect the first vessel, to inspect the second and third vessels as well.

At the end of the inspection, the team was satisfied that all the conditions required of the three vessels have been met. However, final paperwork and analysis will be done by the Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Division before the vessels are cleared to leave on sea to fish.

INSPECTION OF THE FISHING NETS              INSPECTION OF THE LIFE JACKET

It was observed that, the crew of the various vessels participated fully in the inspection, and were corporative throughout the inspection.

CONCLUSION

At the end of the inspection, Mr. Samuel Quartey was impressed with the efforts of the management of the various vessels, to religiously follow the Ministerial Directive. He showed appreciation to the officers from the FEU, who dedicate their time to execute their duties diligently. An officer from the FEU, on the behalf of the other officers thanked Mr. Samuel Quartey for his time. The entire inspection ended at 8:45am.