Mysterious weeds take over Axim waters …spreads to Dixcove and surrounding coastlines

By Alfred Adams
Barely a year after a mysterious greenish fungal-like substance invaded the coastal belt of the Western Region leading to the destruction of fishing nets among others, another mysterious seaweed has found its way on to the coastal belt of the region, resulting in a situation which fishermen have described as a source of worry to their livelihoods.
It would be recalled that the mysterious fungal-like substance, which was first found on the waters of Jomoro last year by fishermen, spread to the other beaches, and has it roots still unknown, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) are still going on with their investigations.
Interestingly, as the EPA and the Ministry are yet to come out with the cause and source of the greenish fungal-like substance, another seaweed-like fungus has invaded the coastal belt.
The cause of the invasion is not known, but the fishermen believe it might have a link to the oil discovery and its attendant drilling. The fishermen are, therefore, calling for prompt responses from the authorities to arrest the situation.
Speaking in an interview with Kyzz FM, some of the fishermen said the gravity of the seaweeds was a threat to the fishing business, as they entangle their nets and destroy them in the process. For this reason, it was reasonable that the authorities investigate the cause of the weeds and prescribe an antidote to it.
The Apofohene of Axim, Nana Kwesi Bui, told the radio station that they discovered the seaweeds on the waters last three months, but did not suspect it was dangerous until recently, when the weeds started to cause damage to their nets and canoes.
Nana Kwesi Bui stressed that the problem, which cuts across Axim through Dixcove, is bringing untold hardships on the fishing business and the fishermen, as they have only succeeded in catching weeds instead of fish on their expeditions.
“For some time, we have been returning from fishing empty handed, because when we cast our nets, the weeds entangle them, making it difficult for any catch.”
He also noted that the strange weeds, among other things, were affecting beach sanitation and eco-tourism which requires prompt response.
The authorities, particularly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), now face the challenge of identifying the cause or source of the weeds, barely a year after a greenish fungus-like substance also invaded the coast of the region, of which cause is still unknown.
Meanwhile, experts have cautioned that failure to clear the weeds from the coast could lead to toxicity if it decays.

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