Stakeholders launch new fisheries project.

Stakeholders here have launched the Liberia Fisheries Governance Project to strengthen governance within the sector.

By Judoemue M. Kollie

Monrovia, Liberia, August 23, 2024—Stakeholders in the fisheries sector have launched the Liberia Fisheries Governance Project, a new project that aims to strengthen governance within the sector.

The new project’s launch was recently held in Monrovia and attended by stakeholders, including fishmongers, fisherfolk, the EU delegations in Liberia, CSOs, and the local media.

The 3-year project is being implemented by CERATH Development Organization in collaboration with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) with support from the EU Delegation in Liberia.

It seeks to improve the governance of the Collaborative Management Associations (CMAs) of coastal communities within Sinoe County’s landscape and strengthen the advocacy of CSOs and the media on the rights of fisheries communities to ensure sustainable fisheries management.

Fisheries governance remains a serious challenge for the country’s fisheries sector, as fishing communities lack the capacity and knowledge necessary to advocate for the people’s rights and livelihoods. 

The NaFAA Director General, Emma Glasco, who launched the project on behalf of the Liberian government, said that her institution is working with partners like the EU to improve governance in the fisheries sector, and the new project will greatly strengthen this intervention.

According to her, the Liberian government still demonstrates the political will to ensure that the fisheries sector is supported to improve people’s lives.

She mentioned that the country’s fisheries sector is gradually recovering with support from the EU.

“We’re very much thankful to the EU for the immense support for strengthening the fisheries governance of our country. We highly acknowledge the contributions as it is impacting the lives of the people of the communities,” she said.

She said that the NaFAA is working with partners to raise awareness about fisheries governance in fishing communities, thereby creating jobs for more women and sustaining food security.

“We are working with the local communities on the issue of governance. To achieve this goal, she added that we have worked with the Environmental Justice Foundation to establish CMAs in the various coastal communities and signed an MOU with communities to promote financial capacities by establishing village saving and loans associations,” she added.

She underscored the need for the EU to support the country in human resources capacity.

“We want the EU to direct support to the newly established fisheries science college to develop or strengthen the institutional capacity of the fisheries sector,” she urged.

The Liberian fisheries boss mentioned that she welcomed the new fisheries project for the country because it was designed to strengthen governance and ensure the rights of fisheries communities.

For her part, Nona Deprez, the EU Ambassador to Liberia, called for stakeholder coordination to build on the gains of establishing CMAs that foster fisheries governance.

“It is important to build on the achievements of the EJF towards establishing the CMAs in the coastal counties. 

She mentioned that fisheries remain a priority area of the Liberian government and the EU, and as such, her country will continue to support the sector.

The EU Ambassador said despite the potential of fisheries in Liberia, the sector is still faced with challenges such as climate change and illegal fishing activities.

She called on the Liberian government to demonstrate the strong political commitment and engagement needed to secure social and economic development within the fisheries sector.

Ambassador Deprez said that the role of NaFAA was crucial to enhance the CSOs’ awareness of governance issues.

“NaFAA will need to provide financial support for the CMAs and strive to establish the board stipulated in the CMAs’ policy to guide their operations for sustainability,” she explained.

Also, Leroy N.S. Kanmoh, the Country Director for the CERETH Development Organization, said that the new project will do all it can to strengthen the capacity of the fisheries communities of Sinoe County.

He also mentioned that the project would endeavor to work with CSOs and media organizations to advocate for the rights of the people in the county’s fishing communities.

“We will work with the media to increase awareness about fisheries to improve the people’s livelihoods,” he added. 

He said that under the project, the CMAs will collaborate with the local authorities to ensure democratic and participatory engagement and sustainable fisheries management in the affected county of Sinoe. Editing by Jonathan Browne