MONROVIA – The Liberian Fisheries Authority Director General has officially launched a new fisheries governance project in Monrovia with a call for the European Union to support the University of Liberia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences Department to further enhance and bridge the knowledge gap.
Speaking on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, as the keynote speaker during the launch of the EU-financed Liberia Fisheries Governance Project (LFGP) at a local hotel in Monrovia, Madam Emma Metieh Glassco urged the European Union to consider strengthening the human resources capacity of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department at the University of Liberia in its future agenda.
“We will need additional support for that program from the European Union,” Madam Glassco conveyed to the European Union through its Ambassador, who was present at the ceremony.
At the same time, Madam Glassco, on behalf of the Government of Liberia, commended the European Union for what she described as its strong support to the Liberian fisheries sector over the past few years. She disclosed that the European Union is currently supporting the sector with five fisheries experts to enhance and strengthen governance systems. She described the EU as one of Liberia’s strategic partners in the fisheries sector, highlighting its technical and sectoral support.
Speaking earlier, the European Union Ambassador to Liberia and Head of the Delegation, Nona Deprez, emphasized that fisheries are a priority sector for both the Government of Liberia and the European Union at the global level, with the European Green Deal and its Farm to Fork Strategy guiding initiatives.
“Fisheries are a priority sector for both the Government of Liberia and the European Union — at the global level, with the European Green Deal and its Farm to Fork Strategy, and at the Delegation level, with dedicated bilateral programs and our TEI on Safe and Sustainable Food Systems,” Ambassador Deprez stated.
The Ambassador noted that the Liberian fisheries sector, which provides full or part-time employment for about 37,000 people—60% of whom are women—contributes approximately 10% of the country’s GDP. It is also an important driver for improved nutrition, with about 65% of animal protein consumed in Liberia coming from fish, rising to 80% in coastal areas.
However, Ambassador Deprez highlighted several challenges threatening the sector’s development, with climate change being the foremost concern. She identified sea level rise, coastal flooding, pelagic seaweed invasion, and more frequent, severe, and unpredictable extreme weather events as direct threats to Liberia’s coastal population. The Ambassador further noted that rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and changing currents are affecting the quantity and distribution of fish species.
“Climate change is the first concern. Sea level rise, coastal flooding, pelagic seaweed invasion, and more frequent, severe, and unpredictable extreme weather events directly threaten Liberia’s coastal population. Furthermore, rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and changing currents affect the quantity and distribution of fish species,” she remarked.
The Ambassador also pointed out that illegal industrial trawlers operating within Liberian territorial waters pose another serious challenge to the growth of Liberia’s fisheries.
Ambassador Deprez expressed optimism that the new fisheries project would strengthen democratic governance and accountability in the sector by enhancing the capacities of civil society organizations and the media to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of all fisherfolk. She underscored the importance of involving local fishing communities—both men and women—in the decision-making process.
“Local media and CSOs can help promote the collaborative management association (CMA) approach to enhance inclusive resource governance and advocate for the safeguarding of fisherfolk rights, particularly for women, youth, and marginalized people,” Ambassador Deprez added.
She further stressed that strong political commitment and engagement are needed to secure positive economic and social developments in the fisheries sector, emphasizing that NaFAA’s role would be crucial in raising awareness of the CMA model among target CSOs and supporting the dissemination of information.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) Program Officer Augustine Fayiah, who highlighted the critical role EJF has played over the years in strengthening the fisheries sector through the establishment of Core Management Associations (CMAs) in four counties—Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Grand Kru.
Mr. Fayiah explained that the EU-funded Communities for Fisheries Project specifically aims to reduce illegal fishing and improve the sustainability of fisheries by expanding and strengthening community co-management associations, creating effective capacity for community monitoring, and reporting illegal fishing.
He noted that EJF has supported the establishment of seven CMAs in Liberia covering four coastal counties—Grand Bassa, Margibi, Grand Kru, and Grand Cape Mount—and has set up 32 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).
Mr. Fayiah concluded by expressing excitement over the potential of the EU-funded Liberia Fisheries Governance Project, implemented by CERATH and its partners. He noted that both projects can work together to amplify their impact and collectively improve fisheries governance while securing the livelihoods of coastal communities.
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