Four Survivors in the middle with Coast Guard Officers and NaFAA’s DDGTS Williams Boeh

Monrovia-The Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority(NaFAA) in collaboration with the Liberia National Coast Guard has rescued a crew of fishermen from the Popo Beach Fishing Community who went missing on Friday, March 20, 2020 while fishing.

They were rescued after their canoe which is 10 to 15 meters in length powered by an outboard engine of 15 horse power failed at sea.

Initially, the four fishermen were rescued by a bulk carrier vessel named Montrose some 54 nautical mile off the Grand Bassa County and were received by the Liberian National Coast Guard some 25 nautical miles.

A NaFAA press release quotes the Director General as saying that the rescue efforts initiated by the Liberia National Coast Guard and National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority took place Tuesday, March 24, 2020 after the Fisheries Monitoring Center which is effectively operated jointly by NaFAA and Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) 24/7 received an intelligence from the Collaborative Management Association (CMA) of Montserrado about the missing fishermen.

The CMA is a local fisheries governance structure put in place by NAFAA to effectively manage the coastal resources of Liberia.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION INTEREST

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY)

Preparation Advance No. IDA V3100

PROJECT ID: P172012

Subject: Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for provision of Consultancy

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY) 

Preparation Advance No. IDA V3100 

PROJECT ID: P172012 

Subject: Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for provision of Consultancy Services as Environmental Safeguard Specialist for LSMFP Project 

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY) 

Preparation Advance No. IDA V3100 

PROJECT ID: P172012 

President George Manneh Weah

Monrovia-March 4, 2020: President George Manneh Weah has mandated the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) to give a one-month grace period to all fishermen fishing in the territorial waters of Liberia, beginning Wednesday, March 4, 2020, to enable them raise money to pay their license fees.

The issuance of this mandate now means the enforcement of fishing license payment will begin on the 4^th of April, 2020.

On the 21^st of February, 2020, a group of concerned fishermen communicated to the office of President Weah, seeking intervention in addressing the increment in the Fisheries License Fees announced by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA).

The same group had earlier petitioned members of the Legislature to intervene.

“The President, being very cognizant of the prevailing economic situation in the country, and as a leader, who shared the experiences of the fishermen, has decided to intervene in the situation”, a NaFAA release says.

Flash Back: Seafarers Post with President Weah NaFAA DG Glassco and Dr. James Kollie

For the first time in a long while, (since 1989) the government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority in collaboration with the Liberia Maritime Authority, the first batch of trained and certified international seafarers are to shortly be deployed on Liberia’s licensed EU fishing vessels and Liberian flagged tuna vessels.

Although Liberia signed the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with EU in 2016, unfortunately, there have been no Liberian Seafarers deployed on any of the 33 EU fishing vessels including other international vessels licensed and flagged by Liberia because of the lack of capacity and required skills. However, under the astute leadership of His Excellency, Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of Liberia, all efforts have been made through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) to have the internationally trained Liberian Seafarers deploy on the EU vessels and other international vessels. He has emphasized that such decision be implemented as a mandatory requirement for fishing vessels licensed by NaFaa as well as a mandatory provision in future bilateral or private Fisheries Access Agreement.  This effort is aimed at providing Liberians seafarers job and networking opportunities as well as international exposure with other international seafarers.

The nine Liberian Seafarers are expected to work on board three (9%) European Union fishing vessels licensed under the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) signed 2016 to fish in Africa including the Liberian Exclusive Economy Zone (EEZ) and other parts of the world.

According to a NaFAA press release, which quoted the Director General of NaFAA Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco there has been a demand from nafaa, that the three European fishing vessel carrying Liberian trained Seafarers dock at designated ports where the nine Seafarers will be given the opportunity to board.

The nine Liberian Seafarers expected to board the three European Union vessels include: Wilson Blamo, Stanley Warjolo, Barfee Kieh, and Lawrence Lamah. Others are Janron Toe, Joseph Z. Cooper, Samuel Clinton, Ansu konneh and Paul Jackson.

FPV Leaves Pier

-DG says “illegal Fishermen days are over”

The official launch to sea patrol of the Wales government donated fisheries patrol vessel has taken place in the presence of the first lady of the Republic of Liberia Mrs. Clar Weah and British Ambassador David Belgrove and other government officials including those from the Liberian National Coast Guard.

Speaking on board the patrol vessel the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority(NaFAA) in a joyous mood Thursday morning 6, February 2020 stated emphatically that Liberian Fisheries Authority through the Liberia National Coast Guard, is well equipped to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities on Liberian waters. Director General Emma Metieh Glassco disclosed to the media that the fisheries patrol boat is the biggest and has the potential to patrol the waters from Grand Cape Mount to cape Palmas in Maryland County.

NaFAA Begins Massive Awareness

-NaFAA Begins Massive Awareness

The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority NaFAA Friday January 24, 2020 led a taskforce comprising the Liberia National Coast Guard, the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Immigration service on an awareness campaign into fishing communities within Montserrado County on the recent adjustment made in the fishing fees structure announced by the Liberian Fisheries Authority.

It can be recalled early January 2020 the Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) announcement an adjustment in the Fishing License Fees for Fishermen engaged in semi-industrial fishing activities throughout the nine coastal Counties based on the capacity of outboard machines/ motorized fishing boats. Making the pronouncement NaFAA’s Director General Mrs. Emma Glassco pointed out that the new fees structure for the small skills fish licensing program takes immediate effect.

Speaking during a jam-packed press conference held in her office Mrs. Glassco called on all semi-industrial fishermen across Liberia to cooperate with government in the payment of their 2020 fishing license fees as no fisherman will be allow to fish without the 2020 fishing license.

As part of efforts to ensure compliance and take NaFAA to the fishing communities across the nine coastal counties the Glassco Management kickoff a massive awareness campaign which initially affected fishing communities across the Township of West Point, the borough of New Kru Town and Banjor Virginia in Montserrado Counties.

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) announces to the public that its Taskforce will begin a vigorous awareness on the adjustments made in the Fishing License Fees for Fishermen engaged in semi-industrial fishing in Liberia.

NaFAA Taskforce comprising the Liberia National Coast Guard, Liberia National Police, and Liberia Immigration Service will be led by its Director General Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco and it will tour fishing communities across Montserrado county.

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) Taskforce will be seen across fishing communities in Monrovia every Thursday and Friday.

Meanwhile, the Liberian Fisheries Authority wishes to advise that fishermen engaged in the changing of the canoes name without informing NaFAA is a crime.

Fishermen using one fishing license for more than two canoes is a crime. All unlicensed canoes will be chained and locked on the various beaches.

The Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) wishes to announcement an adjustment in the Fishing License Fees for Fishermen engaged in semi-industrial fishing activities throughout the nine coastal Counties based on the capacity of outboard machines/ motorized fishing boats. The new fees structure for the small skills fish licensing program takes immediate effect.

NaFAA is calling on all semi-industrial fishermen across Liberia to cooperate with government in the payment of their 2020 fishing license fees as no fisherman will be allow to fish without the 2020 fishing license.

Motorized canoes using 1 Horse power to 14 horse machine will now pay USD$200.00 to obtain their fishing licenses to fish across the country and those with 15 horse power to 40 horse power capacity are require to pay USD$475.00. Motorized canoes with 41 horse power to 100 horse power will pay USD$1,000.00 and Migrant or seasonal fishermen will pay USD1,250.00.

The amount stipulated above can also be paid in Liberians dollars equivalent.

Absolutely no fisherman will be permitted to fish without being in possession of the 2020 and 2019 licenses as the joint fisheries taskforce comprising the Liberia National Coast Guard, Ministry of Commerce, the Liberia National Police, Liberia Drug Enforcement agency and the Liberia Immigration service will begin vigorous inspection across Liberia’s coastal communities to enforce the payment of the license fees.

WINAFRICA Liberia’s Chapter President Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco

Monrovia, Liberia - Liberia has joined other countries in Africa in the establishment of a chapter of Women in Maritime in Africa (WIMAFRICA) in partnership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the United Nations.

This is to inform the General Public that Program Marking the Official Induction of Code of Officers and Launching of the Women in Maritime in Africa Liberia Chapter is scheduled to take place in Monrovia on December 23, 2019 at 10:00am. The induction and launching ceremony will take place at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.

The Women in Maritime in Africa, Liberian Chapter ceremony will bring together special guests of honor including former Liberian Female President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, H.E Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor, Vice President Republic of Liberia; Hon. Lawrence Barchue-Assistant Secretary General, IMO-UN; Elizabeth Naa Afoley Quaye, Minister of Fisheries Republic of Ghana and Madam Jean Chiazor Anishere, President of the Women in Maritime in Africa Network among others.

Also expected to grace the occasion include Officials from the Seafarers Union, Fish Monger Association, Liberia Maritime Authority, Ministry of Transport, LISCR, EPA, and NPA.                     

The Women in Maritime Africa Association (WIMAFRICA) is made up of female maritime professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs throughout the African maritime sector (and related areas) from all the countries and various regions and sub-regions of the continent.

Meanwhile, the aim of the Association is to increase the visibility of women in the maritime sector which is perceived to be a male dominated sector. It also includes cooperation in building capacity, training, education and development of entrepreneurial projects in order to contribute effectively to global efforts towards Women's Economic Empowerment, Representation and Leadership in Maritime and the Blue Economy.  The establishment of WIMAFRICA is to contribute effectively to realize the African Union Agenda 2063.

(L To R) Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco NaFAA DG, Prof. Alex Dodoo of Ghana and Deputy Commerce Minister Nyema Wisner

The government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) and the Ministry of Commerce Friday November 22, 2019 signed a Technical Cooperation with the Ghana Standard Authority as a temporary arrangement for the certification and testing of Liberian Fish and Fish Product only, for export to the EU market.

At the same time, Liberia has sent two technicians from the Commerce Ministry to Brussels to undergo training for the REX Program (Registered of Exporters) so that the REX program can be maintain and implemented in Liberia. These are set criteria prior to the commencement for direct export of fish and fish product from Liberia to the EU market.

According to a NaFAA Press Release, Prior to this arrangement, the Legislature under the Weah led government signed unto the economic partnership agreement which is the framework for implementing the REX program which allows export to EU market on a zero% tariff basis. And, this is the first time that Liberia fish and fish product will be exported to the EU market under this program and it’s also a gateway for other Liberian products to hit the EU market.

In another development, Liberia through NaFAA for the first time, has Flagged Two Tuna Purse seiners of Sovereign Trade Services a Liberian registered company (industrial pelagic fishing vessels) on its domestic vessel registry and attracted investment to start operating by January 2020.

2nd National Plan of Action for the conservation of sharks and ray

The Deputy Director General for Technical Services at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has stressed the importance of the conservation of sharks and ray in Liberia.

Speaking Friday during the 2nd National Plan of Action for the conservation of sharks and ray in Liberia, Mr. William Boeh said the continuous conservation of sharks and ray across Liberia indicates that Liberia is in full compliance with international fisheries protocols.

“the conservation of sharks and ray is cardinal to Liberia and the world at large, therefore it incumbent upon all of us Liberians with support from our International partners to protect those fisheries” stated NaFAA Deputy Director for Technical Services William Boeh.

Mr. Boeh challenged stakeholders to ensure the full implementation of the National Plan of Action for the conservation of sharks and ray across Liberia.

Making presentation during the stakeholders meeting, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) Liberia Project Officer pointed out that restoring the populations of sharks is important and can yet deliver ecological surprise.

Monrovia, Liberia - The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has disclosed that a Liberian licensed French tuna fishing vessel ‘Avel Vor’ has sunk some 180 nautical miles off Liberia’s coast last week.

The Management of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) wishes to announce with immediate effect, the suspension of Guoji 828 and Guoji 831 Fishing Licenses for issues relating to the death of a Liberian Sailor on board Guoji 831 vessel.

NaFAA Liberia D.G.

Malaga, Spain- The Liberian government, through the Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), has signed the Cape Town Agreement, committing to the full implementation of the international fisheries protocols.

The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco has the distinguished honor, to serve as Speaker at the women in fisheries side event to be held on the margins of the Ministerial conference on fishing Vessel safety and IUU Fishing of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the United Nations in Malaga, Spain from 21-23, October 2019.  

This event, which was driven by the 2019 World Maritime theme on Empowering Women in the Maritime Community, will bring together key stakeholders from around the world to debate issues around the roles and visibility of women in the sector.

At the Malaga, Spain conference, Mrs. Glassco will deliberate on several issues ranging from gains made under her leadership at national level, regional perspective of women empowerment in fisheries (a case study of Liberia and West Africa), the role of women in food (fish) safety and supply chain, as well as policy recommendations to enhance women participation and visibility in the maritime sector.

The Conference aims to promote ratification of the Cape Town Agreement, a key IMO treaty for safety of fishing vessels. The entry into force of the Cape Town Agreement will help deter the proliferation of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, by establishing international safety standards for fishing vessels.

The Conference is intended for ministers, policymakers, senior officials and relevant experts responsible for implementing fishing vessel safety and IUU fishing policies as well as enacting national legislation to ratify the Agreement.

The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority NaFAA is commending Authorities of the European Union for its support to staff training in internet programs.

Speaking Thursday at the end of the three days EU support training on Internet Outlook Training Mrs. Glassco said “from today, all NaFAA staff will be working with official NaFAA email addresses, and according to a protocol designed to increase transparency, accountability and efficiency of our officers. Training has been provided to all staff to support this move. In addition, a number of dedicated email addresses have been created, for example, for enquiring about licenses, or requesting a fisheries inspection.

The NaFAA Boss mentioned “I request that anyone contacting NaFAA, on any aspect of the wide range of services it provides to fishermen, fish traders, sellers and vessel agents, use only the new official email addresses that have been created, a list of which is available on the NaFAA website. From today onward, no NaFAA business will be conducted via private emails, and any queries through private email will need to be directed to the official accounts”.

She said “I very much welcome this move, one of a number of improvements to service and accountability that NaFAA Management is bringing in, to help us as we support the development of Liberia’s rich fisheries.”

The three days EU sponsored Internet Outlook Training has seen all staff migrated to dedicated NaFAA email addresses, which from Thursday October 17, 2019 will replace entirely the use of private email address for conducting NaFAA business.

Monrovia, Liberia - A European Union Sponsored Internet Outlook Training for staffs of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has kicked off at the Mesurado Pier on the Bushrod Island outside Monrovia.

Monrovia, Liberia - The Government of Liberia and the Japanese Government have signed a Fishery Grant Agreement for the supply of Motorize Yamaha engines to local fishermen in Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties without cost.

As Director General Glassco Sign MOU for Fisheries Research

Monrovia, Liberia - The Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), has signed a Fisheries Research Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Monrovia. The MOU entails fisheries independent stock assessment using a fisheries research vessel named RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen.

Monrovia, Liberia - As part of efforts to achieve the Pro Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) led government as its relates to capacity building, 25 Staffs of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFFA) are expected to depart Liberia on Tuesday July 16, 2019 for a month long mariculture training in China, a release from NaFAA has said.

Chinese and Liberian Delegation During Dinner

Monrovia, Liberia - The people of China have pledged their continuous support toward the manpower development of Liberian Citizens and more infrastructure developments across Liberia.