Published: January 30, 2026
Monrovia— The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Mr. J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr., has emphasized that the sustainability of Liberia’s marine resources is critical to the long-term growth and development of the country’s fisheries sector.
Speaking on Thursday at a one-day pre-validation workshop on the Fisheries Management Plan for Artisanal Fisheries of Liberia, organized under the European Union (EU) Technical Assistance “Food Systems Governance” Fisheries Project, Mr. Saygbe challenged key stakeholders including fishermen, fishmongers, and fishing communities to actively support efforts aimed at safeguarding the nation’s fisheries resources.
The workshop brought together NaFAA Technical Directors, Fisheries Officers from Liberia’s nine coastal counties, representatives of government institutions, and members of fishing communities, all of whom were urged to contribute meaningfully to the validation of the Fisheries Management Plan to ensure the sustainable development of the artisanal fisheries sector.
Mr. Saygbe stressed that effective collaboration and stakeholder ownership of the plan are essential for strengthening fisheries governance and improving livelihoods within coastal communities.
Providing an overview of the purpose and expected outcomes of the workshop, Dr. Ashley Halls, Project Key Expert, explained that the Fisheries Management Plan is designed to ensure the long-term management, conservation, development, and sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture resources and related ecosystems for the overall benefit of the Liberian people.
The Fisheries Management Plan for Liberia’s Artisanal fishery was developed under the EU-funded Technical Assistance “Food Systems Governance” Fisheries Programme in close collaboration with NaFAA through an inclusive consultative process. The process involved government agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, the Liberian Artisanal Fishermen Association (LAFA), the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), and fishing communities across the country.
In line with Liberia’s Fisheries Policy, the plan seeks to “ensure the long-term management, conservation, development and sustainable use of the fisheries and aquaculture resources and related ecosystems for the benefit of the people of the Republic of Liberia.”
The management plan covers both Fanti and Kru small-scale (artisanal) fisheries operating within Liberia’s inshore waters.
Other participants at the workshop included representatives of the artisanal fisheries sector from all coastal counties, including members of the Liberian Artisanal Fishermen Association (LAFA), Community Management Associations (CMAs), fishing communities, fishmongers, fish markets, and fish importers.
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