Published: June 21, 2025
MONROVIA — The Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), is moving forward with plans to launch semi-industrial fisheries operations beyond four nautical miles off the country’s coastline.
The initiative follows the official validation of Liberia’s first Semi-Industrial Fisheries Management Plan, held Thursday at the NaFAA headquarters on Bushrod Island. The plan outlines sustainable practices for the development and oversight of the semi-industrial fisheries sub-sector.
Speaking at the validation workshop, NaFAA Acting Director General Gen. J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr. described the plan as a key policy framework that aligns with national and global standards for sustainable marine resource management.
“This management plan is not only timely, but also strategic in ensuring that our semi-industrial fisheries are properly regulated and positioned to attract sustainable investment,” Saygbe said.
He confirmed that Liberia has completed and published the demarcation of the four-nautical-mile boundary from the coastline, clearing the way for licensed semi-industrial fishing vessels to operate in designated areas of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Saygbe stressed that the move is aimed at expanding economic opportunities and boosting revenue through responsible governance. He reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to global fisheries transparency standards, citing its endorsement of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency and active membership in the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI).
“We are working to build a sector that is transparent, inclusive, and investment-friendly,” he said, urging participants to remain open and collaborative throughout the implementation process.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, Solomon Hedd-Williams, praised NaFAA for leading the formulation of the management plan. He called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure accountability.
“If we are to achieve meaningful, inclusive development under the government’s ARREST agenda, we must tighten the screws on enforcement,” Hedd-Williams said.
The event drew participation from Liberia’s development partners and fisheries stakeholders. European Union representative Maria Winnubst encouraged NaFAA to safeguard the interests of artisanal fishing communities as the plan rolls out.
“It’s essential that the needs of artisanal fishermen are considered in the implementation of this plan,” Winnubst said. “Industrial growth must be balanced with the preservation of community livelihoods.”
In response, the president of the Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association pledged the association’s full support for NaFAA’s efforts, committing to the collaborative implementation of the plan.
The Semi-Industrial Fisheries Management Plan is designed to ensure sustainable exploitation, regulation, and management of Liberia’s semi-industrial fishery resources. It provides a comprehensive legal framework for the sector and is informed by data from both fisheries-dependent and independent scientific assessments.
The plan covers a five-year implementation period, with a mid-term review scheduled after the second year. Its long-term goals include boosting ecological sustainability, enhancing economic productivity, and improving social outcomes through better-managed fisheries.
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