Monrovia – The governments of Liberia and Japan have signed a fisheries grant agreement for the supply of Motorized Yamaha engines to local fishermen in Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties without a cost.
Speaking at the signing ceremony Monday, October 7, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia, the Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Madam Emma Glassco commended the Japanese government for the donation of 400 Yamaha engines.
Mrs. Glassco reaffirmed the Liberian Government’s commitment to ensuring that the engines will be used for the improvement of artisanal fishermen catch and subsequently phase out paddling canoes.
Mrs. Glassco pointed out that “fishing is a vital social-economic activity for thousands of Liberians and fishing-related activities contribute to the livelihood of tens of thousands more.”
The NaFAA Director-General stressed that the artisanal/small-scale fisheries sector has great potential to contribute immensely to the growth of the national economy.
She narrated that fishermen in the artisanal sector used underdeveloped fishing crafts that cannot allow them to fish long distances as such increasing their fishing effort would improve the catch level.
Despite the numerous problems grappling small-scale fishermen, the NaFAA Director indicated the small-scale fishery over the years, has remained the main producer of seafood products on the local market, yet their livelihood remains unimproved.
She noted that sustaining these artisanal fishers has created an alarming concern to the government, something that led her institution to seek a grant from the Japanese government.
She explained that this resulted into the agreement and pledged the donation will efficiently boost the fishing effort of local fishermen to increase the catch, reduce the number of days spent at sea, and further reduce fish spoilage at sea.
The NaFAA boss declared that the donation will lead to a tremendous decrease in physical loses and astronomical increase in economic gains.
Commenting further, Mrs. Glassco said with an average crew of four within the Kru fisheries, it is expected that over 2000 fishermen will directly benefit from this donation and at least 8000 indirectly benefiting.
Comparing to migrant fishermen that export the proceeds of their sales, she noted that Liberian fishmongers will constantly have access to fish which will be sold on the local markets and the proceeds will be reinvested in the Liberia economy.
“This is a way of NaFAA contributing to pillar two of the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development,” she said.
The motorized engines, she furthered, will be distributed free of charge to fishermen in Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties.
“Only fishermen, who have been in possession of their licenses for the past five years will be qualified to receive the Japanese Yamaha Motorized engines through the local Co-Management Association (CMA) and the Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association (LAFA)” she mentioned enthusiastically during the signing ceremony.
She disclosed that NaFAA will include the identification of fisher-folks from densely polluted fishing communities and work with them to set up cooperative that will be a subsidiary of government, that will work with the business registry and NaFAA will underwrite the cost associated.
The NaFAA head said there will be a minimum criterion set for the fishermen who will be suitable for application of the outboard motors that include members of the CMA or local fishermen cooperative, have a registered licensed canoe for at least five years, the cooperative must take the initiative to get insurance certificate from an insurance company, fish must be sold to fish mongers only and robust beach inspection program to ensure that all polices are implemented.
Madam Glassco further noted that NaFAA will establish a monitoring and evaluation program to conduct a quarterly inspection that will ensure accountability and there will be certain indicator to ascertain the level of progress that include fish production, value for money, supply on the local markets.
NaFAA, she furthered, will organized and develop small business enterprises for collaborative management and put out a bid for tendering of interested company for the installation of the outboard motors.
The NaFAA Director General also mentioned that her management will collaborate with CICA motors, a local car dealer to among other things provide specialized tools and spare parts to local mechanics at various landing sites that will include the provision of Yamaha recommended engine oil – two stroke, and ensure that local mechanics are trained by CIC motors specialists.
Speaking earlier, Japanese Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Tsutomu Himeno stated that the donation of the Yamaha motorized engines is his government’s way of identifying with the Government and people of Liberia.
Amb. Himeno said the people of Japan remained committed to the overall development of Liberia and the empowerment of Liberians.
Also speaking during the ceremony, Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Findley commended the Japanese Government for entering into such agreement, which is aimed at empowering local fishermen and also enabling the local fish sellers to earn more money.
Meanwhile, the Liberian government through NaFAA has presented a grant proposal for the construction of a Modernized Fishing Port/Landing Cluster.
The proposed facility include processing facilities, dry docking, fresh fish market and marine store valued at US$7.8 million to be constructed in Fanti Town, Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County.
The agreement is also being reviewed by the Japanese Government for possible consideration.
During Madam Glassco’s recent visit to Japan with President Weah in July of this year, she stated that if the grant proposal is accepted, it will significantly reduce post-harvest loss, add value to fish product being harvested to be sold on the domestic market, leading to the production of certified high valued fish products for export to International markets.