The government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) wishes to announce to the general public particular fishermen and cold storage operators across Liberia and fishing communities that the collection of the 2023 fishing license fees, and cold storage fees will officially begin on January 3, 2023.
Recreational boat owners are advised to visit the head office of NaFAA near LPRC, Freeport of Monrovia to regularize their status, as no recreational boat will be allowed on the waters without a valid license.
Due to the importance attached to the collections of the various fees from fishermen and cold storage operators, the management of NaFAA says it will place a fine of (US$5,000) five thousand United States dollars or more on fishermen and cold storage operators who renege/refuse to pay their 2023 fishing fees and that of cold storage fees.
At the same time, fishermen and cold storage operators indebted to NaFAA for 2022 will also have to make their payments before operating in 2023.
NaFAA announces that it will begin the deployment of compliance and enforcement teams comprising fisheries technicians, the Liberian Coastal Guard, the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Immigration Service before next year.
Under the Liberian fisheries law, no fisherman is allowed to go fishing in Liberia’s waters without being in possession of a valid fishing license or receipt from the compliance teams.
As a result, all fishermen, cold storage owners and recreational boat owners are requested to begin preparing to be in full compliance to avoid closure of their business.
Meanwhile, the fishing license fees are structured in the following categories:
- 1-15 Horse Power US$250
- 16-40 horse power US$475
- 41-100 Horse Power US$1.250
- Migrant/Seasonal Fishermen US$1,500
- Peddling Canoes LRD$7,500 or USD$50
- River Fishing Recreational Boat US$250
- Ocean Fishing Boat US$350
- Inland Fishing Canoes LRD$7,500 or USD$50
All payments are intended for a period of one year
