Monrovia – The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has disclosed that a high-level technical delegation of Aquaculture Experts from the Lake and Fish Resources Protection and Development Agency of Egypt is expected to arrive in Monrovia on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, to assess the Liberian Aquaculture sector needs.

A press release from the Liberian Fisheries Authority quotes Director General Emma Metieh Glassco as saying, the Egyptian Aquaculture Experts from the Lake and Fish Resources Protection and Development Agency will be in Liberia to tour Aquaculture facilities in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Montserrado, Margibi Bong, Numba, and Lofa Counties to conduct a comprehensive need assessment of the aquaculture sector.

It can be recalled in 2024, Madam Glassco signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Liberian government with Egypt on a Technical Cooperation Agreement for the provision of Fisheries governance and Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance and Aquaculture development with an Egyptian Cooperate Agency, the Lake and Fish Resources Protection and Development Agency.

The primary aim of the MoU is to strengthen technical cooperation between Liberia and Egypt for mutual benefits, enhance fisheries governance capacity development, and facilitate trade.

The release added that the specific objective of the MoU is to engage in trade facilitation and link the private sectors of Egypt to Liberia and also collaborate on monitoring control and surveillance services while at the same time, sharing technical knowledge and expertise and building institutional capacity aquaculture.

Madam Glassco stated that Liberia is poised to leverage Egypt’s experiences in its step-by-step approach to developing its aquaculture sector through the bilateral MOU on technical cooperation.

Moreover, as a practical step towards fulfilling the objectives of the MOU signed in 2024 on technical cooperation, Madam Glassco further disclosed that the three-man technical delegation from the Lakes and Fish Resources Protection and Development Agency, comprising experts in aquaculture, fisheries, and veterinary affairs, will be led on a tour from January 22 to 30, 2024, in Bong Mines Reservoirs, Lake Piso, Gbedin Lowland, and the Foyah Lowland.

She added that the Egyptian team will first conduct a stockholder consultation with an array of donors, farmers, tertiary institutions, and other value chain actors to gain full insight into the current status of aquaculture and future interventions.

The Liberian Fisheries Director General mentioned the Egypt aquaculture Experts will also conduct a specific assessment of aquaculture management areas identified under the aquaculture zoning and spatial planning exercise carried out under the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Liberian Fisheries DG stated that the overall purpose of the MoU Liberia signed with Egypt is to develop a national Aquaculture Strategy that will inform investment decisions, identify short-, medium, and long-term goals, and address the fish deficit in Liberia’s domestic market.

MONROVIA – In 2021, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), the government agency responsible for managing Liberia’s fisheries sector, announced and initiated a program to distribute thread nets to fishermen in exchange for rubber nets. The aim of NaFAA’s net distribution initiative was to encourage fishermen in Liberia to abandon the use of rubber nets, which a 2017 research by the International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies says are widely used in African artisanal fisheries because they are relatively inexpensive and effective, but contribute to      ghost fishing and the destruction of juvenile fish populations. The study revealed that the introduction of rubber      nets has intensified the exploitation rates on the ocean and a ban on the use of such destructive gillnets is a vital management intervention. 

By: Rita Jlogbe Doue, Contributing Writer

However, it has come to light that despite NaFAA’s net exchange program introduced approximately two years ago for hundreds of fishermen in Liberia’s nine coastal counties, recent investigations revealed that many fishermen have reverted to using rubber nets again.

Banjor, a thriving fishing community in Montserrado County, is in District #17, near King Faro and Hotel Africa Road. Abednego T. Browne, the community’s sea      chief and a seasoned fisherman with over a decade of experience stated that they currently use rubber nets for fishing despite the negative impacts it has on the environment. Browne believes that these rubber nets, also called cargo or monofilament nets, are the preferred choice for fishing because they yield more fish than traditional thread nets.

George W. Nimely, a 48-year-old experienced fisherman from the West Point community in Monrovia, agreed with Browne’s concern over the use of rubber nets. However, Nimely specified that the high taxes imposed by      NaFAA      have forced fishermen to use rubber nets to meet their tax obligations.

“The Liberian government is not doing anything for us, we; the fishermen are the ones benefiting the country. We are not getting anything from the government like marine stores. We are buying our own things, and at the same time, the taxes are too much,” Nimely angrily narrated from a fishing site in West Point community.

He explained that the annual tax amount charged to a paddling canoe was initially LRD$ 1500 (US$ 7.83 approx.), but NaFAA has increased it to LRD$ 9575 (US$50 approx.), which is a significant burden on fishermen.

Nimely emphasized that these high taxes contribute to the problem, and fishermen cannot afford to switch to thread nets, which are environmentally friendly, if they want to pay their taxes. “You can’t tell me to change my net; thread net can’t catch fish. How will I pay my taxes? So, I will continue using the rubber net.”

Browne said while fishermen may prefer to use rubber nets, he believes that the government should address the issue by “eliminating the cargo or rubber nets entirely and reducing the taxes for fisher folks.”

For Isaac Wheagba of Timbo Kru Town in River Cess County, most fishermen are using the rubber net because it is less expensive and can catch more fish as compared to thread net, which is sold for about LRD$ 84,600 (US$450 approx.) and is too expensive.

Wheagba said the thread nets that NaFAA distributed were inadequate for the number of fishermen in the area. ‘If the government provides enough thread nets, we will use it,” he added.

Matthew Boye is a seasoned fisherman with more than 15 years of experience from Fanti Town Community in Grand Bassa County, renowned for its high landed catch.. Boye’s perspective echoes that of fellow fishermen in Montserrado and River Cess counties, who are grappling with a common dilemma.

“When you use a rubber net, you can generate more fish than the thread net, but the thread net is good because at least it will not drive the fish,” Boye said.

While acknowledging the rubber net’s superior catching capacity, Boye raises concerns about its durability. He points out that the thread net, despite its lower performance, remains functional for an impressive four to five years, in stark contrast to the rubber net’s single-season lifespan. This revelation brings to light the complex choices faced by fishermen, prompting a wider discourse on sustainable fishing practices in the region.

 Experts emphasize the crucial role of effective management in Liberia’s fisheries sector to improve the country’s fish consumption rate. Currently, Liberia has one of the lowest fish consumption rates in West Africa. Reports from USAID and ECOWAS highlight that the average per capita annual consumption of fish and shellfish in Liberia is estimated to be 5.0 kg, significantly lower than neighbouring countries such as Sierra Leone (25.3 kg, 55.8 lbs.) and Guinea (10.5 kg, 23.1 lbs.). Fish ranks as the second most purchased food commodity in Liberia and contributes approximately 15% of the total animal protein supply. It is imperative to increase the consumption rate by effectively managing the sector to prevent the depletion of Liberia’s fish stocks and over-reliance on imported fish.

“The decline in the health of the ocean, there are several factors responsible,” says Jerome Nyenka, the University of Liberia’s Assistant Professor of Forest Economics, Forest Carbon and Climate Change. “Fisheries significantly contribute to the       pollution of the ocean     . If the sector is not managed properly, it will increase the pollution potential from the sector,”  said Nyenka, while contributing to this research ‘Scientific Reports’ by The Ocean Clean-up,  which indicates 75% to 86% of Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) plastic is  attributable to offshore fishing and aquaculture activities, backs Nyenka’s assertion. The research found that “a large fraction of the plastic mass accumulating in these offshore waters is carried by a few objects made in the vast majority of floating nets and ropes, several meters in size.”    

Austin Wehye is the Director of Statistics and Research at NaFAA     .

He said “the 2021 NaFAA net exchange program was backed by laws which prohibit the use of rubber/monofilament nets in the sea.”

Wehye identified two key legal instruments that authorise NaFAA’s actions: the 2010 fisheries and aquaculture regulations, which ban the use of monofilament nets, and the 2019 fisheries and aquaculture management and development law.

Despite the existence of these laws, NaFAA admits to facing challenges in enforcing them. “Our people have been using monofilament and rubber nets for a long time in the fisheries sector. We recognize the urgent need to eliminate their usage but to achieve this, we must first raise awareness and provide adequate incentives for fishermen to transition to legal nets, such as multifilament or thread nets,” explained Austin Saye Wehye.

He said that, unfortunately, NaFAA currently cannot compel fishermen to adopt the legally recognized thread nets due to a limited supply of such nets in the country. “We are looking for a way in which our president can issue an executive order that waives taxes on most of these fishing inputs like fishing gears. If we have companies that are bringing in those legal nets; then we can say, but for now, what we are doing is encouraging our people to use the multifilament nets,” Wehye said.

This constraint further hampers their enforcement efforts. It is crucial that NaFAA takes proactive measures to address this issue by actively seeking partnerships and exploring avenues to increase the availability of thread nets. By doing so, they can promote the responsible and sustainable fishing practices necessary for the protection and preservation of Liberia’s marine resources.

Responding to fishermen’s concerns about the limited supply of thread nets, Wehye said the net exchange program was a pilot, and NaFAA does not have the money to change all the nets. He revealed that the pilot was meant to show fishermen the rightful net and tell them it was the way to go. “If you do this, you will have more fish in the future and increase your productivity; that is what we’ve been doing,” Wehye narrated.

He termed as a myth assertion that the rubber net catches more fish as compared to the thread net. “The thread net is a sustainable way of fishing,” he said. “Now the risk of fishermen losing their nets at sea is very high, and if they continue to use the monofilament nets, what will happen is there will be a decline in the stock size.” Wehye continued.

He stressed the need to dialogue with fishermen to own the fisheries sector. “They need to see fishing as their own job and even own the water and properly manage it.”

As fishermen now complain of smaller catches, it remains unclear when the Government will enforce the use of the multifilament net for sustainable fishing in Liberia.

This regression highlights the need for increased efforts by NaFAA and other relevant authorities to educate and engage with fishermen on the long-term benefits and sustainability of using thread nets instead of rubber nets.

Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), an international non-governmental organisation working to promote legal and sustainable fisheries in Liberia, also disclosed in one of their recent reports, that in some fishing communities, local fishers do not understand that their actions, i.e., using illegal monofilament nets, constitute illegal activities and affect catch levels and the food and nutritional security of coastal communities. It is important to note that these coastal communities are also experiencing the global climate crisis, “facing rising sea levels, coastal erosion, ocean acidification and increasing sea temperatures – all of which exacerbate their vulnerability to fisheries declines and further undermine livelihoods and food security” as reported by EJF’S Ocean Manifesto. To address this, EJF recommends the need for robust and continuous awareness in the fishing communities to improve the understanding of fishers of what constitutes Illegal fishing and the negative effects of illegal fishing.

 Research shows that using multifilament nets instead of monofilament nets for sustainable fishing offers several benefits:

Multifilament nets have smaller mesh sizes compared to monofilament nets, which reduces the capture of non-target species and promotes more selective fishing practices. They are also more durable and less likely to break, which reduces the problem of ghost fishing. The longer lifespan and higher efficiency of multifilament nets provide better economic returns for fishermen, contributing to the sustainability of small-scale fisheries. Additionally, multifilament nets are often made from biodegradable or eco-friendly materials, minimizing their environmental impact and aligning fishing practices with sustainable approaches.

To achieve these benefits, a report by EJF recommends that NaFAA strengthens collaboration with traditional fisheries governance structures and fisheries collaborative management associations (CMA) to address this challenge at the community levels. They reported that CMAs in Liberia have succeeded in improving unity amongst fishers, aiding conflict resolution, combating illegal fishing, and leading rescue missions, and also calls for NaFAA to establish CMAs in all fishing communities in Liberia to support local fisheries governance and combat illegal fishing activities.

Consequently, it is vital that NaFAA adheres to FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report No. 932  action point for policy and management which states that “any fishing activity qualifying for the adjective of “destructive” is incompatible with sustainable use and breaches all international instruments and agreements based on the UN Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC), including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).  It is therefore States’ responsibility to limit the risk of destructive use to the minimum.” By doing so, they can promote responsible and sustainable fishing practices necessary for the protection and preservation of Liberia’s marine resources.

The government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, NaFAA and the Government of Morocco have begun preparations ahead of the conduct of the second fisheries stock assessment on Liberian waters. The preparatory works began Friday December 1, 2023 following the arrival of a high-power technical fisheries delegation from the Kingdom of Morocco. The second independent stock assessment will take place in mid-January 2024 with technical assistance from the Moroccan government.

The visit of the Moroccan technical delegation to Liberia, a NaFAA press release is quoted as saying “is predicated upon the need to implement the MoU signed recently between the government of Liberia through NaFAA and the Moroccan government ministry of Aquaculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forestry for the conduct of a fish stock assessment in the Exclusive Zone (EEZ) of Liberia.”

The four-member delegation include Mr. Abdelmalek Faraj Director of the National Institute of Research Halieutique, Mr. Ali Aferyad Chief de division de gestion des moyens de navigation, Mr. Najib Charouuki Chief de division observation directe halieutique and Ms.Soukaina Zizah Chief de Service Suivi des prestation de Service,  all from the National Institute of Research of Morocco.

It can be recalled earlier 2023, the government of the Kingdom of Morocco through its Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime and Fisheries agreed to provide its research vessel to conduct an independent stock assessment on Liberian’s territorial water. Responding to Liberia’s request for technical support Moroccan Fisheries Minister Mohammed Sadiki disclosed that his government will provide the technical assistance to Liberia through its research vessel for the growth and development of the Liberian fisheries sector.

The first fish stock assessment under the CDC led government was conducted in August 2023 with technical assistance from the governments of Guinea and Senegal with the provision of the Guinean research vessel “Lasanna Conteh”.

Moreover, the Moroccan delegation on Saturday December 2, 2023, toured the freeport of Monrovia where its research vessel is expected to dock for the conduct of the second fish stock assessment  in Liberia and later the Moroccan technical team toured the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, NaFAA Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC) where they saw how monitoring activities are being conducted across Liberian waters and other parts of the world. They were led on the tour by managers of the Research and statistics department.

Previously, the Moroccan delegation held discussions with the Director General of NaFAA Madam Emma Metieh Glassco at NaFAA’s Corporate Headquarters on Bushrod Island reemphasizing their government preparedness to assist Liberia in the conduct of the second scientific fish stock assessment.

Responding, Madam Glassco expressed the government of Liberia deepest satisfaction and appreciation to the government and people of the Kingdom of Morocco for maintaining their commitment to ensure the facilitation of the conduct of a scientific stock assessment on Liberia’s water.

Meanwhile, a stock assessment is a scientific activity by means of a research vessel to acquire scientific information/data on individual species so as to ascertain the commercial viability of those fisheries resources and to further attract investment opportunities.

The stock assessment when completed will thereby ensure improvement in Liberia’s commercial fishing operations across its territorial waters.

Robertsport – The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), through the European Union-funded Communities for Fisheries project, have inducted into office newly elected Collaborative Management Association (CMA) Executives in Region I, II and III, Grand Cape Mount County.

By Francis G. Boayue

The CMA is a community-based governance structure that enables fishing communities to work in partnership with the government through a democratic and participatory approach to sustainably manage fisheries resources. EJF is an international NGO in Liberia working to promote sustainable fisheries, address illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and community participation in fisheries management.

EJF and NaFAA on Wednesday, September 27, 28 and 29, 2023, inducted into offices CMA leaders of regions one, two, and three, Grand Cape Mount County, completing the establishment of CMAs in four, i.e., Margibi, Grand Bassa, Grand Kru and Grand Cape Mount of Liberia’s nine Coastal counties in collaboration with NaFAA.

Mr. Cephas Asare, West Africa Regional Manager of EJF, presenting a background of the Communities for Fisheries in four of Liberia’s coastal counties, calls for the collective involvement of all Grand Cape Mount Citizens, including officials, private citizens, fishermen, and fishmongers for the success of the CMAs established to govern fisheries activities.

Mr. Asare, speaking at the induction ceremony, said everyone needs to join forces to ensure that the operations of the CMAs are successful by rallying their support toward the established fisheries bodies for the sustainability of the Liberian fisheries sector.

At the same time, he pledged the EJF support under the European Union-funded Communities for Fisheries project to ensure that all the CMAs established in the four counties continue to be effective in discharging their duties.

“The best way to manage fisheries more sustainably in Liberia is to embrace the teamwork, capacity building, and inclusion of resource users in the decision-making,” Mr. Asare said.

On behalf of NaFAA, the Deputy Director General for Technical Services, Hon. William Y. Boeh, proxying for his boss, Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, as Keynote Speaker, praised EJF for its continuous cooperation with NaFAA to empower local fisheries and sustainable development for local fishermen across Liberia.

“I, on this note, would like to first recognize the enormous contribution of the European Union in supporting the fisheries sector at large and particularly the establishment of Collaborative Management Associations in other counties. A special thanks to the Environmental Justice Foundation for working tirelessly to ensure the Communities for Fisheries project objectives are achieved,” he said.

He further said the CMAs and its leadership will ensure the creation of awareness in all fishing communities for compliance by fishermen for the full implementation of the Co-management plans in accordance with the principles and objectives set out in National Fisheries Regulation and policies.

“For managing the fisheries, I am keen to work with you to modernize fishing practices to drive sustainability and economic returns, and I’m committed to increasing our level of support in developing and sharing fisheries management responsibilities with coastal communities. The government is particularly focused on protecting fisheries resources, combating IUU, enhancing the capacities of artisanal fishers, and rebuilding stocks that have been over-fished,” Boeh added.

Also speaking, Mr. Charles Simpson, outgoing president of the CMA, Grand Cape Mount County, in remarks, called on new leadership to stand firm and keep advocating for the welfare of the fishers.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inducted leadership, Mr. Nimene Doe, president of Region I, praised NaFAA for recognizing artisanal fishers. He holds the view that the involvement of local fishers will help in managing the fisheries sector.

Those inducted into office in Region I Collaboration Management Association were Mr. Nimene Doe (President), Madam Musu Cooke (Vice President), Mr. Philip Y. Cole (Secretary General), Hussein Pusah (Financial Secretary), Bornyomah Kiadii (Treasurer) and Patience Willie (Auditor).

Region II inductees were Morris Jarkpor Kiazolu (President), Anna M. Ben (Vice President), William Kanneh (General Secretary), Zuanah Johnson (Financial Secretary), Massa Jarmoh Fahnbulleh (Treasurer), and Musu Passaway (Auditor).

Region III: Abraham J. Rogers (President), Anna Tregbe (Vice President), Abuboakai K. Kiawen (General Secretary), Precious G. Davis (Financial Secretary), Cecelia T. Johnson (Treasurer), and Landa F. Rogers (Auditor).

United States of America – The United States State Department has recognized efforts by the Authorities of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) in restoring Liberia’s fisheries to their pre-war status. In the US State Department 2022 report on Liberia, it was indicated that “the fishing industry, long dormant compared to pre-war levels, is making improvements that should make it more attractive for investment.” 

This comes in a wake of tremendous reforms and the establishment of improved investment and legal regimes by the Government of Liberia through the management of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority to make the sector attractive.

A comment in the Executive summary of the Report is a clear indication that “much has been done to transform the Liberian fisheries sector that has enormous investment opportunities for economic development”.

The US State Department report also indicated that despite the numerous investment challenges in Liberia, the Country is rich in natural resources and has large expanses of potentially productive agricultural land and abundant rainfall to sustain agribusinesses.

This statement according to a NaFAA press release, substantiates NaFAA’s previous calls for Liberians and International investors to take advantage of the unmatched potentials for investment opportunities in the Liberian Fisheries.

Responding to the US State Department Report, NaFAA’s Director General, Madam Emma Glassco, reaffirms the Government’s commitment to ensuring that starting up an investment in the fisheries sector remains seamless, in keeping with current investment policies.

Hon. Glassco furthered stated that NaFAA remains committed to the sustainable management of the fish resources thus ensuring that all international instruments are applied and enforced.

Monrovia – Key national partners from government, civil society and the private sector as well as donors have endorsed the Green and Inclusive Growth Portfolio of UNDP Liberia, which seeks to support the Government of Liberia in delivering private sector-led growth by promoting greater inclusion of youth, women and marginalized groups, while leveraging Liberia’s green assets in a sustainable and resilient manner.

The portfolio which has gone through rigorous processes of context and programme analysis, stakeholder consultations, formulation and design, and a vigorous validation process, was endorsed at a Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC) Meeting on 28 July 2022 as the final product.

The meeting was organized by UNDP Liberia Country Office in collaboration with Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Stakeholders at the LPAC meeting re-confirmed that significant emphasis be placed on engaging communities at the local level, providing opportunities to participate more fully in formal socio-economic and sustainable pathways to spur growth, during the implementation stages of the portfolio.

The overall emphasis of the GIG is designed to impact growth that is private sector driven with increasing productivity, diversification, and innovation, supporting increased inclusion, and is environmentally sustainable, and resilient to shocks over time.

It is complementary to and builds on existing frameworks and plans of action such as the Sustainable Development Goals, AU’s Agenda 2063, the PAPD 2018–2023, UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021, UNDP Liberia Country Programme Document (2020-2024) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2020-2024 for Liberia.

It represents renewed efforts to develop an innovative overarching framework to achieve far greater impact by adopting a transformative system, and an integrated approach that reflects programmatic synergies.

“The use of an integrated approach will contribute meaningfully to the growth of marginalized groups,” said Fohn Toe Gborweah, Senior Economist at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) at the LPAC meeting.

UNDP Liberia Deputy Resident Representative for Programme a.i. James Monibah said the portfolio responds to Liberia’s development aspirations in addressing development challenges at the policy, system, institutional and administrative levels in a sustainable and resilient manner, and leverages partnerships with the government and development partners across the spectrum of portfolio initiatives.

“This document represents/reflects re-affirmation of all the consultations and validation processes that have taken place over the period to ensuring a coordinated approach in addressing issues of climate change and economic imbalances,” Monibah stressed.

He encouraged stakeholders to engage in resource mobilization to help support the programme meet its desired goals and objectives.

Other Speakers including Assistant Mines and Energy Minister Johnson Willabo and the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL) Executive Director, Michael Garbo, pledged to work to ensure that the GIG programme takes a multi-stakeholder, multi-faceted approach to break down silos and ensure collaboration, coordination, synergy and coherence.

The GIG portfolio will help strengthen institutions to be more effective, accountable, transparent, inclusive, and gender-responsive in the delivery of essential services, especially for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

It will also support expanded livelihoods and private sector opportunities, provide sustainable and resilient infrastructure at the local level to reduce household poverty, promote diversified, and inclusive economic growth to improve sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, food security, job creation and resilience to climate change and natural disasters.

Monrovia – Following two days of protest by several members of the Liberian Seamen Union, the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has provided some technical details why the government of Liberia has not licensed the six controversial Chinese fishing vessels currently at the Bong Mines fishing Pier on Bushrod Island.

On July 30 and 31, 2020 aggrieved members of the Liberian Seamen Union stormed the offices of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority on Bushrod Island in an angry mood demanding the licensing of the six Chinese Super trawlers in an attempt to provide them job opportunities.

The angry seamen union members who denied NaFAA’s staff of entering their offices Friday, July 31, 2020, alleged that the authorities of NaFAA have decided to deny the six vessels operations on Liberian waters; this, they said would take them from their current state of joblessness and restore their families livelihoods.

The protesters claimed that after obtaining international certified training from the Regional Maritime university facilitated by the Liberian government through NaFAA, they have been denied opportunities to board European and other international tuna vessels fishing across the world.

But in response to their allegations under a poll of rain on Friday, July 31, 2020, the Director-General of  NaFAA Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco disclosed that there are several technical issues associated with licensing those fishing vessels as such all of those technical issues will have to be addressed adequately before their registration and subsequent permit to fish in Liberian water.

“Liberia cannot issue licenses to those vessels when the flag state has not authorized the vessels to operate on distance waters, it will be a breach of international protocols.”

Mrs. Emma Glasco, Director-General, NaFAA

Mrs. Glassco said, “the six gigantic vessels that came to Liberia have larger fishing capacities nor of such have ever come to Liberia to fish and worse their authorization has expired to the flag state which is China”. She says “now china as a flag state needed to issue that vessel authorization”.

But Mrs. Glassco mentioned that Liberia through NaFAA” has not received any authorization from the flag state which is China, except a transit document from Mozambique to Liberia however, that expired since June 26, 2020”.  She noted that under that circumstances, “Liberia cannot issue licenses to those vessels when the flag state has not authorized the vessels to operate on distance waters, it will be a bridge of international protocols. The NaFAA Boss indicated that now that Liberia is a member of United Nations Port State Measures Agreement to deter and eliminate Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing, it also stands to be red-carded as a non-compliance country if these giant trawlers which we have not seen before are licensed without proper due diligence. 

Mrs. Glassco recalled that Liberia is currently nursing a yellow card issued by the European Union and all efforts are being put in place to lift the yellow card which Liberia got as a result of the illegal fishing activities during the former regime.

She noted that as of “now most of the vessels operating in Liberian waters are not entering the European Union ports due to the current yellow card issue. The NaFAA boss explained that the yellow card placed on Liberia is directly affecting the fisheries and Maritime Authorities, this she said is having negative effects on the Liberian economy.

The Liberian Fisheries Boss further indicated that currently, Liberia is the second open registry in the world and if cautions are not considered by this government through NaFAA, Liberia could degenerate downward to the least position in the world because of the yellow card issued by the European Union.

Hon. Glassco however said there exist possibilities for Liberian Seamen to board other international fishing vessels despite the lack of fishing pier to contain bigger fishing. She disclosed that six members of the Liberian seaman union will shortly depart Liberia for Ghana to board two international fishing vessels licensed by NaFAA.

Madam Glassco said given the current status of the six Chinese fishing vessels, the Liberian government through NaFAA cannot issue them licenses because this might result to a red card from the EU which could hamper chances of operating the entire national fisheries entity and later end the aspirations of the local seamen.

She moreover indicated that as far as those vessels are concern Liberia cannot go contrary to any international protocols because it risks red card from EU and this will also hamper the market repelling international vessels from operating in Liberian waters.  

She concluded by saying discussions will continue with members of the Liberian Seamen Union to have them understand the decision government is taking through NaFAA as issuing vessel fishing licenses has to do with procedures and that’s technical.

MONROVIA – The Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, has alarmed over the use of used baby pampers by some individuals to smoke or dry fish in Liberia.

Report by Obediah.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

According to her, the agency remains concerned about the unhygienic manner and form of fish preservation in the country.

Madam Glassco maintained that most often some fisherman and others engaged into a ‘substandard way’ of preserving fish, something she added, has claimed the attention of NaFAA.

She made these comments when she appeared as guest on the newly established Bana FM98.5 on the Bushrod Island, outside Monrovia recently.

As part of efforts to curb the situation, Madam Glassco disclosed that plans are underway for the construction of adequate and hygienic landing sites and storages for local fishermen across Liberia.

She indicated that infrastructure facilities and storages will be setup in each county to enable local fishermen preserve their catches for exportation to other country around the world.

She observed that the lack of these facilities and cooling storages is hindering local fishermen’s quest to export their catches as compare to their counterparts.

Madam Glassco disclosed that the move will also help to address waste created as a result of contaminated or left over fish.

“This year we are focusing on building infrastructure across the counties for local fishermen. These local fishermen lack the storage facility and proper landing sites. When you are not landing in hygienic conditions, you don’t have accreditation to export outside. And so that’s why you only sell in your domestic space and you cannot export. That is something they will love to do to expose them to international market”.

“Once we can develop those infrastructures and have these storage facilities; it will also help them to curb the waste. Most of the times the fish that they catch-before the day ends, it spoils. The way that it is smokered, it is in a very substandard way. I also understand recently that people are using baby pampers and all kind of dirty stuffs to smoke fish”.

She indicated that NaFAA remains concerned about what is placed on the market by local fishermen, and as such, the entity will continue to introduce strong policies to regulate the sector and guarantee the health and safety of consumers.

“This year we are focusing on building infrastructure across the counties for local fishermen. These local fishermen lack the storage facility and proper landing sites. When you are not landing in hygienic conditions, you don’t have accreditation to export outside. And so that’s why you only sell in your domestic space and you cannot export. That is something they will love to do to expose them to international market”.

– Emma Metieh Glassc, Director-General, NaFAA

Rehabilitation of fishing pier

Speaking further, Madam Glassco disclosed that a US$40 million secured from the World Bank to develop Liberia’s fishing industry, will focus on the expansion and rehabilitation of the Mesurado Fishing Pier which was constructed in the 1970s.

She disclosed that following the completion of the project, the pier will attract numerous registered international fishing ships or vessels that are not paying taxes to the Liberian government because they are not landing here.

“Once we have an industrial fishing port, we will have numerous vessels coming here. That will mean a lot for Liberia. Once we have an industrial fishing facility-all the vessels that are going to be on our waters; it’s going to be mandatory that they land at our port”.

Madam Glassco pointed out that those fishing vessels cannot land at the commercial Freeport of Monrovia, but a designated pier.

She disclosed that the economies of other Africa countries are booming over Liberia because, fishing vessels are paying regular taxes to these nations that have industrialized fishing piers.

Nets distribution

At the same time, Madam Glassco has disclosed that the agency will very shortly commence the distribution of fishing nets to local fishermen across the country.

She added that the Japanese government has also completed the procurement of yahama engine motors for local fishermen who have peddling canoes, and as such, those motors will be distributed to them by next year.

According to her, the move will help increase productivity of local Liberian fishermen.

“Few weeks from now we will be distributing free nets across the country. Ten weeks from now, we are hoping that the fishing nets will be here. The Japanese will send two technicians when the boats arrive and they will build a store for repairs. And that will be free of charge to the government”.

MONROVIA – As part of efforts to improve food security, nutrition and income in rural Liberia, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has entered a memorandum of understanding with AfricaRice and the Ministry of Agriculture to implement an EU sponsored Project titled “Desira” with its focus on rice and fish integration.

The signatories of the MOU are the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, Dr. Inoussa Akintayo Country Director AfricaRice, and the Minister of Agriculture Madam Jennie Cooper. The signing ceremony took place recently in Monrovia.

The integrated rice and fish farmers are the primary direct beneficiaries of the project who will benefit directly through access to research, innovations and technologies that will improve the sustainability and productivity of their products.

The project will be implemented in five counties, namely Grand Gedeh, Maryland, Gbarpolu, Margibi, and Rivergee counties and will target three hundred sixty-five rural smallholder farmers.

Sixty percent targeted farmers will be women inclusive householders/families to build on their roles as food producers and ensuring food and nutrition of their families.

According to a NaFAA press release; the overall goal of the project is to enhance the development of rice and fish value chains for improved food, nutrition and economic security through targeted research and extension in Liberia.

The entire project will last for a period of 36 months and it is put at 3.5 million Euros.

The project is aimed at transforming high risk climatic traditional production system into more climatic resilient, high-yielding resource use efficient system.

This project will draw on the initial lessons learned from the FAO AfricaRice, WorldFish, and other research organizations; including initiatives on climatic-smart agriculture to design/modify and test technologies as well as practices that sustainably increase productivity and enhance adaptive development outcomes in Liberia.

Worldfish and AfricaRice through this project aim to adapt improved rice-fish systems technologies and better management practices in Liberia, together with the National Agriculture Research Extension Systems (NARES), the private sector and other donor-funded projects.

Monrovia –  The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) says six trawlers which previously expressed interest to fish in Liberia waters arrived at the Freeport of Monrovia, on Saturday, June 13, 2020 to undergo pre-licensing procedures.

In a statement Wednesday, NaFAA said the vessels will undergo joint pre-licensing inspection by NaFAA, LiMA with other line ministries and agencies as part of the due diligence process and in consultations with certain Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMOs), and fisheries information sharing networks  which is in line with Chapter 10, Section 10.1 and 10.3 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Development Law of 2019 and NaFAA licensing policy. 

Said the NaFAA statement: “It is worth clarifying that invitation for pre-licensing inspection does not necessary means that those six vessels will be licensed to fish in Liberia waters. Licenses can be approved in accordance with Chapter 10, Section 10.4 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Development Law of 2019 or denial base on Chapter 10, Section 10.6 of the same law.”

According to NaFAA, some of the basis for denial in accordance with Section above are: The issuance of licenses would be contrary to any fisheries management plan; The activity is likely to threaten the sustainability of the resources;  The issuance of licenses will be inconsistent with an international agreement;  A vessel has been included on the list of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing vessels established and maintained by a competent international fisheries management body.

As part of the Fisheries 2010 regulation and consistent with NaFAA’s 2010 Act, all fishing vessels licensed to fish in Liberia’s territorial waters must present a ‘CATCH PLAN’ which will be in line with the NaFAA’s Fisheries Management Plan (FMP).
However, NaFAA’s remain focus and committed to providing more fresh fish on our domestic market so as to eradicate food insecurity. And as a transparent institution, the list of license vessels is published on its website.