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By Judoemue M. Kollie
Stakeholders of the fisheries sector have launched the Liberia Fisheries Governance Project, a new fisheries project aimed at strengthening governance within the sector.
The launch of the new project was held recently in Monrovia and attended by the stakeholders, including fishmongers, fisher folks, the EU delegations in Liberia, CSOs, and the local media.
The 3-years project is being implemented by the 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 governance of the Collaborative Management Associations (CMAs) of coastal communities within the landscape of Sinoe County and to strengthen the advocacy of CSOs and the media on the rights of fisheries communities to ensure sustainable fisheries management.
Fisheries governance still remains a serious challenge for the country’s fisheries sector as fishing communities lack the capacity and knowledge necessary to advocate for the rights and livelihoods of the people.
The NaFAA Director General, Emma 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 coming of the new project will greatly strengthen the intervention.
According to her, the Liberian government still demonstrates the political will to ensure that the fisheries sector is supported to improve the lives of the people.
She mentioned that with support from the EU, the fisheries sector of the country is gradually recovering.
“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 the partners to create awareness about fisheries governance in the 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, we have worked with the Environmental Justice Foundation to establish CMAs in the various coastal communities and have signed an MOU with communities to promote financial capacities through the establishment of village saving and loans associations,” she added.
She underscored the need for the EU to support the country in the area of 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 to ensure the rights of fisheries communities.
For her part, the EU Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez called for coordination amongst the stakeholders to build on the gains of the establishment of CMAs that foster fisheries governance.
“It is important to build on the achievements of the EJF towards the establishment of 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 provide support to 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 strong political commitment and engagement which are needed to secure social and economic development within the fisheries sector.
Ambassador Deprez said that the role of NaFAA was crucial to enhance awareness of the CSOs on governance issues.
“NaFAA will need to provide the financial support for the CMAs and strive to establish the board stipulated into the CMAs policy to guide their operations for sustainability,” she explained.
Also speaking the Country Director for the CERETH Development Organization, Leroy N.S. Kanmoh said that the new project will do all it can to make sure that the capacity of the fisheries communities of Sinoe County is strengthened.
He also mentioned that the project shall endeavor to work with the CSOs and media organizations to carry out advocacy on the rights of the people in the fishing communities of the county.
“We will work with the media to increase awareness about fisheries to improve the livelihoods of the people,” he added.
He said that under the project the CMAs will collaborate with the local authorities to ensure democratic and participatory engagement to ensure sustainable fisheries management in the affected county of Sinoe.
