Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries

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The Strategic Priorities of The Department Are

1. Increase aquaculture production from 40 to 200 tonnes per year by 2025, with a focus on intensification of production in Lofa, Bong and Nimba counties, and working with existing farmers and new rice/fish farmers in Gbarpolu, Margibi, River Gee, Grand Gedeh and Maryland. The focus will be on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), African bonytongue (Heterotis), and Hemichromis.

2. Regulate aquaculture and inland fisheries through licensing of all operators.

3. Collect revenue from fish farming and inland fisheries operations in line with the Regulations.

4. Ensure effective rehabilitation, functioning and management of NaFAA’s aquaculture sites and infrastructure, if appropriate through concessions to private sector parties, to support seed/fingerling production and for use in training activities.

5. Train fish farmers and inland fishers in appropriate technologies and best practices e.g. in fish husbandry, effluent management, and feed management.

6. Strengthen private-public partnerships for aquaculture value chain development (in feed production, pond development, hatcheries).

7. Enhance levels of data collection on aquaculture and inland fisheries in cooperation with the research and statistics department (including through the establishment of a national aquaculture database).

8. Conduct research with a focus on feed and the potential for development of aquaculture of native species.

9. Support increased availability and affordability of inputs for aquaculture.

10. Support access to markets by producers.

11. Empower women and youth through their increased involvement in aquaculture.

12. Build small- and medium-sized aquaculture enterprises for enhanced food security and job opportunities.