Agadir Morocco-The government of the Kingdom of Morocco through its Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime and Fisheries has agreed to provide its research vessel to conduct an independent stock assessment in Liberia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Independent stock assessment is a scientific activity by means of a research vessel to acquire scientific information/data on individual species so as to ascertain the commercial viability of those fisheries resources and to further attract investment opportunities.
The stock assessment when completed will unleash the economic potential of the fisheries sector of Liberia and provide quality data including status of each species of fish and environmental parameters needed for the sustainable management and conservation of Liberia fisheries resources. This assessment will also uncover the hidden potential of the sector and lead to the establishment of a new fishery like shrimps fishery.
A dispatch from Agadir, Morocco mentioned that the Moroccan government through its Minister of Agriculture, Maritime and Fisheries made the disclosure recently during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Liberia aimed at ensuring the conduct of a comprehensive fish stock assessment.
Responding to a request for technical support from the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority for the enhancement of the Liberian fisheries sector, Minister Mohammed Sadiki disclosed that his government will provide the technical assistance to Liberia through its research vessel for the growth and development of the sector.
The Moroccan fisheries minister urged that research and innovation are the only means through which a nation can restructure its fisheries sector adding that fisheries managers can only make decisions based on scientific data.
Speaking earlier, Director General Emma Metieh Glassco stated that the signing of the MoU will trigger what she termed as unleashing economic growth and development in the Liberian fisheries sector.
Madam Glassco revealed that the paucity of scientific data has limited the productivity and revenue generating capacity of the fisheries sector of Liberia.
She noted that Liberia is ready to conduct the research following positive response from the Moroccan government and anticipate that the program will commence latest March, 2023, further assuring that her local team is already mobilized to provide all the support.
Meanwhile, the Liberian fisheries boss is calling on the Moroccan government for additional support for the construction of fish landing sites similar to what it has constructed for fishermen in Agadir fishing community and also in other countries such as Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal and now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a related development, as part of its commitment to the government of Liberia, the Moroccan Fisheries Authority Tuesday January 31, 2023 ahead of the start of the 2nd High-level conference, Blue Belt Initiative for Science, Economic and Environmental Integration in favor of the Blue Economy, took the Liberian fisheries delegation along with others on board the Al Hassan Al Marrakchi to have appreciation of the scientific research vessel that would conduct the stock assessment sooner this year.
