Monrovia, Liberia – September 22, 2025: The Acting Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr., has issued a resounding call for greater collaboration and investment in Liberia’s fisheries sector, as he rallied development partners at the Second Fisheries Development Partners Coordination Group (FDPCG) Meeting held at NaFAA Headquarters on Bushrod Island.
In a passionate appeal, Mr. Saygbe underscored Liberia’s determination to build a world-class fisheries industry through stronger partnerships, enhanced governance, and bold reforms.
“NaFAA is looking for deeper areas of collaboration to attract partners’ support for development. Coordination with partners is not just important—it is essential if we are to avoid duplication, align donor support with Liberia’s priorities, and accelerate our national drive to lift the EU yellow card,” Mr. Saygbe emphasized.
He reaffirmed NaFAA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and reform-driven leadership, stressing that Liberia is “intentional and unwavering” in its mission to eradicate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and strengthen the sector’s contribution to food security, economic growth, and community livelihoods.
Showcasing Progress and Ambition
The meeting featured dynamic presentations from NaFAA’s technical experts, who highlighted achievements and new directions under major projects such as the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP) and the Liberia Integrated Fisheries Sector Strengthening Project (IFSSP). These updates showcased how the new leadership is repositioning the fisheries sector for growth, resilience, and global competitiveness.
Development Partners Voice Strong Support
The gathering drew an impressive lineup of international partners, including the European Union, OPEC Fund, UNDP, World Bank, FAO, JICA, the United States, Sweden, and Egypt—all reaffirming their support to Liberia’s fisheries development.
- United States: The Economic Assistant at the U.S. Embassy, Blamo B. Nimle, lauded NaFAA’s bold measures to combat IUU fishing, noting that the deployment of the Quarter Master vessel demonstrates transparency and determination similar to models in Senegal and Ghana.
- FAO: The FAO delegation expressed keen interest in NaFAA’s decentralization plan, aimed at embedding fisheries staff across Liberia to strengthen coastal oversight. FAO Country Representative, Saeed Abubakar Benie, pledged FAO’s commitment to work closely with NaFAA in rolling out this nationwide initiative.
- European Union: As co-chair of the FDPCG, the EU called for a follow-up dialogue with Mr. Saygbe and his team for a deeper dive into key updates, while announcing that the next FDPCG meeting will be hosted by the EU on October 8, 2025.
Strengthening Partnerships for National Impact
The Fisheries Development Partners Coordination Group continues to serve as a strategic platform for aligning investments, strengthening technical collaboration, and advancing Liberia’s fisheries agenda. By bringing together government and partners, the FDPCG ensures that international assistance directly translates into job creation, improved food security, and better livelihoods for Liberia’s coastal communities.
Closing the meeting, Mr. Saygbe reiterated NaFAA’s vision:
“This is more than just about lifting the EU yellow card—it is about building a modern fisheries sector that delivers prosperity for Liberia, empowers our coastal communities, and upholds our international commitments. With your continued partnership, I am confident that Liberia will not only rise to meet today’s challenges but set a new benchmark for fisheries governance in the region.”