Monrovia – British Ambassador to Liberia, David Belgrove and First Lady Clar Weah were on hand Thursday as the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority officially launched the Fisheries Patrol Boat recently donated by the government of Wales.
Director-General Emma Metieh Glassco declared that the Fisheries Authority through the Liberia National Coast Guard, is now well-equipped to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities on Liberian waters.
Trumpeting the launch, Ambassador Belgrove said : “It is wonderful to see the FPV Lonestar in operation. This vessel which was donated by the Government and people of Wales will enable the Government of Liberia to patrol the length of their coastline for the first time. I congratulate all those involved”.
The donation was facilitated by the Welsh Government’s “Wales for Africa” team following talks with the World Bank Fisheries Department, the EU Fisheries Team and Liberian fisheries institutions.
The NaFAA DG described the boat as the biggest with the potential to patrol the waters from Grand Cape Mount to cape Palmas in Maryland County.
Mrs. Glassco assured that “illegal fishermen days are all over because the government now has the power to travel across the nine coastal counties with the help of the Liberia National Coast Guard.
The Welsh donation came at time when Liberia is working hard to improve the fishery sector, reduce rising incidents of illegal and unregulated and unreported fishing in Liberia’s territorial waters.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
