The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has raised alarm over the growing threat of plastic waste in Ghana’s sea waters, saying it is directly affecting fish stocks and contributing to low yields for fishermen.
Speaking at the National Chief Fisherman and Queen Fishmongers Conference in Accra, the Ga Mantse stated, “Plastic waste is now competing with our fish stock. Our fishermen go to sea and harvest plastic bottles and polythene bags.”
He highlighted that the combination of sea pollution, climate change, and the use of non-recyclable plastics has worsened the situation.
“The plastic waste in contact with seawater produces corrosive compounds which contribute to ocean acidification and affect our marine microbes. This has eroded coral reefs, destroyed fish habitats, and prevented fish from spawning at the shore,” he explained.
READ: Ga Mantse calls for urgent measures to curb sea plastic pollution
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II warned that if urgent collective action is not taken to curb the phenomenon, the nation’s food security could be at risk.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
