The European Union-funded Communities for Fisheries Project has concluded a two-day journalists workshop under the theme, ‘Enhancing investigative journalism workshop in Liberia’s Fisheries sector’ in Monrovia with the Deputy Director General for Technical Services at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, NaFAA of Liberia highlighting the impact the project is having on the Liberian Fisheries sector, mainly through the establishment and empowerment of the Collaborative Management Association, CMA.
The project is implemented by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) in four of the nine coastal counties in Liberia. The Workshop started Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at a local hotel in Congo Town.
Hon. William Y. Boeh noted that due to funding from the European Union, the Communities for Fisheries project implemented by EJF has organized fishermen and fishmongers into CMAs and empowered them to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Liberia’s waters.
Hon. Boeh noted that empowering fishermen and fishmongers in Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Grand Kru Counties has led to tremendous transformation within the fishing communities in the four counties. “EJF has been an impactful partner to the government of Liberia over the last few years due to its transforming project, the Communities for Fisheries Project”, Hon Boeh mentioned.
Hon Boeh stated that journalists’ interest in the Liberian fisheries sector would create awareness of the successes and challenges within the sector. It will also attract potential investment in the sector to help create job opportunities in the fishing communities and beyond.
At the same time, providing the objectives of the workshop, EJF Technical Officer for Fisheries, Research and M&E support, Madam Olivia P. Livingstone, mentioned that it is intended to provide journalists with relevant information to deepen their understanding of Liberia’s fisheries and enhance their knowledge on investigative reporting.
Madam Olivia P. Livingstone also indicated that the workshop is intended to build journalists’ interest in the fisheries sector, ensure sector coverage, and support journalists in reporting on activities that might undermine the sector’s sustainability and improve transparency in fisheries.
Also speaking during the opening session of the enhancing investigative journalism workshop in Liberia’s fisheries sector, EJF’s Program Officer, Mr Augustine Fayiah, emphasized the impact EJF and NaFAA collaboration is having in the Liberian fisheries sector.
Mr. Fayiah confirmed that EJF has worked closely with NaFAA over the years for the sustainable development of Liberia’s fisheries sector and for improving the livelihoods of fishermen and fishmongers.
Mr Fayiah said EJF is keen on enhancing and building the capacities of Liberian journalists and environmental defenders to promote transparency and accountability in Liberia’s fisheries and. build the interest of others in investing in the sector.
During the workshop, journalists were taken through the ethics and process of investigative journalism. They also participated in group work to develop story ideas, listened to other journalists share experiences working on stories, and were exposed to tools to enhance their work and help them produce credible investigative pieces by EJF’s staff in London. The two-day workshop will also expose journalists to research processes.
It is expected that journalists will leave the workshop with insight into the fisheries and important contacts to report on happenings in Liberia’s fisheries sector. The workshop brought together Journalists from Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, and Grand Bassa Counties.
