Fishermen operating at Cape Three Points, where oil exploration activities are taking place, are requesting a physical demarcation of the safety zone from Tullow and its Jubilee Partners to facilitate safe and efficient fishing operations.
Their request aims to enhance safety and support fishing operations by providing accurate information to navigate and operate effectively.
Despite sensitization and training for key stakeholders and fishermen, encroachment into the safety zone near the oilfield remains a concern.
According to the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen’s Council, the incursion rate is on the rise.
Secretary of the Council, Mike Abeka Edu, emphasized the need for physical demarcation of the safety zone to guide fishermen’s operations.
He made the call during a scholarship awards ceremony organized by Tullow and Jubilee Partners, and implemented by the Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (STCCI).
The ceremony, themed “Economic Development through Education,” aimed to support the education of 120 needy yet brilliant tertiary students from seven coastal communities in the Western Region.
“The fishermen consistently report that there’s no clear physical demarcation to indicate where the safety zones begin and end. Although the endpoint is at the FPSO (Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading unit), the starting point is unclear.
“Having joined the familiarization team to the onshore area, it’s evident that there are no visible markers for the safety zones. Therefore, the fishermen are requesting physical demarcation to guide their operations,” he observed.
In his responses the Social Performance Manager at Tullow, Edmund Fiifi Enchill, noted that the safety zone is serving as a conservation zone for fish, allowing them to breed and later move out of the area.
“The area around the FPSO is warmer, which attracts fish. Scientifically, it’s true that fish congregate there. When you go, you’ll see the fish. Because the fish aren’t being caught, people are drawn to the area for easy catches.”
” I propose that we view this area as a conservation zone where fish can thrive and eventually migrate out, allowing our fishermen to catch them. Let’s consider it a fish nursery or a breeding ground that benefits our fishing community in the long run.”
On the physical demarcation, he added that the demarcations are clear enough for fishermen to see.
“The demarcation of the safety zones is clear, and security vessels are stationed in the area to monitor and advise fishermen. We have a two-zone system: a safety zone and an advisory zone.”
“When fishermen approach the advisory zone, our security vessels warn them that they’re approaching the safety zone and advise them to turn back. However, the challenge we face is that some fishermen deliberately disregard these warnings.”
“Despite being informed, they find alternative routes to enter the safety zone, suggesting they knowingly attempt to bypass the restrictions. It’s not a matter of them not being aware; they’ve been warned, but some choose not to comply.”
But the Secretary of Ghana National Fisherman Council, Mike Abeka Edu again argued that the two naval vessel is not enough to serve the purpose.
“With only two naval vessels available to monitor a large radius around the FPSO, it’s challenging to effectively direct fishermen. Even with warnings, some fishermen might intentionally venture into the area, especially those using hook and lines. Therefore, we’re advocating for physical demarcation of the safety zones.”
“While we acknowledge the potential difficulties, we believe there are mechanisms that can be applied to clearly indicate the starting point of these zones to fishermen,” he stated.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
