The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has called on Liberian journalists to engage directly with the Authority to obtain accurate and verified information about the fisheries sector. Hon. William Y. Boeh, Deputy Director General of NaFAA, made the appeal at the opening session of a two-day investigative journalism training organized by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) at the Corina Hotel Conference Hall in Monrovia.
Addressing journalists from Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, and Grand Bassa counties, Hon. Boeh emphasized the importance of balanced and factual reporting in enhancing public understanding and transparency in the fisheries sector.
“You need to verify the information you receive from local fishermen and fishmongers with NaFAA before broadcasting or publishing,” said Hon. Boeh. “There are times when misinformation circulates, and it’s critical that the media provides the public with accurate news. NaFAA remains open and accessible to all journalists seeking clarity on fisheries-related matters.”
He highlighted that NaFAA, with support from development partners such as the World Bank, European Union, and the Governments of Iceland and Sweden, continues to implement transformative interventions aimed at supporting the livelihoods of Liberia’s fishing communities. These efforts include the distribution of free outboard engines, the replacement of environmentally harmful monofilament nets with approved multifilament nets, and the construction of fish handling and cold storage facilities.
Hon. Boeh further disclosed that NaFAA has extended technical and financial assistance to fishmongers and fishermen through capacity-building training and grant support, aimed at strengthening their ability to operate viable fish businesses and enhance food security across Liberia.
“Let us work together to ensure that the public receives the right information about the strides being made in Liberia’s fisheries sector,” Boeh added. “We are committed to transparency and welcome ongoing engagement with the media.”
The investigative journalism workshop, organized by the Environmental Justice Foundation, is part of the “Communities for Fisheries” project – a five-year, seven-month initiative funded by the European Union. The project seeks to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and promote sustainable fisheries management through the empowerment of Community Co-Management Associations (CMAs) and community-based monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
As part of its strategy, EJF is working to strengthen media engagement in Liberia to increase public awareness, promote accountability, and ensure that the voices of coastal communities are amplified in national fisheries governance.
The training session provides journalists with specialized tools and knowledge to improve investigative reporting on fisheries, thereby contributing to increased oversight and good governance in the sector.
