NaFAA, Fisherfolk Settle Down on Controversy Over Net Exchange Program

Authorities of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) and fisherfolks representing fishing communities in parts of Montserrado County on Thursday April 15, 2021 resolved what was degenerating into a serious tension.  

The disenchanted fishermen early Thursday morning trooped on the office of the Cooperative Management Association (CMA) in New Kru town, kicking against the planned ‘Net Exchange Program’. The CMA serves as a liaison between fishermen and NaFAA.

The Fishermen went to the point of besieging the official vehicle of the Deputy Director General of NaFAA, Hon. William Y. Boeh while he was taking their leadership to the central office of NaFAA near LPRC for a meeting with Director General Emma Metieh Glassco.

Earlier in New Kru Town at the CMA office, the aggrieved Fishermen were seeing with stalks in their hands demanding the presence of Mr. Nyantee Sleh who heads the CMA, alleging that he did not seek their interest while in discussion with the leadership of NaFAA on plans to exchange their rubber nets with the thread nets which is internationally acceptable.

The aggrieved fishermen also accused Mr. Sleh of not representing their interest at the level of the CMA as such they are prepared to have his entire leadership forcibly replaced.

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fishermen using paddling or Kru canoes

Two 40 Foot Containers of Fishing Nets Arrive in Monrovia

-Ahead of Free Fishing Nets Distribution Across Coastal Communities

Monrovia- As part of efforts to empower local fishermen across Liberia, the government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has disclosed the arrival of a huge consignment of internationally recommended multifilament or thread fishing nets. The arrival of the nets is part of World Bank sponsored project for Sustainable Management of Fishery resources.

A press release quoting the Director General of NaFAA, Madam Emma Metieh Glassco says the consignment of thread nets are in Monrovia for free nets exchange program which only affect licensed fishermen using paddling or Kru canoes

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION INTEREST
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Preparation Advance No. IDA V3100
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Subject: Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for provision of Consulting
Services to prepare Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for
Expansion of the Harper Coastal Station

Reference No.: LR-NAFAA-201401-CS-INDV

Assignment Title: Consulting services to prepare Environmental and Social
Management Plan (ESMP) for Expansion of the Harper Coastal Station

The government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture authority (NaFAA)
has received support from the World Bank Group toward the preparation and implementation of
the, “Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP)”. The project development
objective (PDO) is to improve the management and utilization of selected fisheries. The objective
of this terms of reference is to recruit an individual consultant who will prepare Environmental
and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Expansion of the Harper Coastal Station.

Terms of Reference

For

Consulting Services to Conduct Financial and Economic Feasibility for Rehabilitation of the Klay Fish Hatchery at Klay, Bomi County, Liberia

for the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA)

February 2021

NaFAA Boss Madam Emma Metieh Glassco Speaking Friday January 29, 2021 @FEJAL Induction Ceremony

The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture has challenged Liberian Female Journalists to begin “engaging their male counterparts in the fight for gender equality, this she believes is the biggest leverage women would have in their journalism profession.

Madam Emma Metieh Glassco in her message to the new leadership of the Female Journalists Association Friday January 29, 2021 at a local hotel in Paynesville further urged them to ensure that more women ascend to higher positions like their male journalists.

Paddle (Kru) canoes on the sea shore of one of Grand Bassa Co. fishing communities

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority ( NaFAA) has given all paddle canoe commonly known as Kru Canoe fishermen three  months (January – March 31,2021) grace period for the  payment of their 2021 fishing license fees.

The government of Liberia through NaFAA reached the decision over the weekend following a three-day consultative meeting held at the Mesurado Pier on Bushrod Island with paddle canoe representatives (Kru Fishing Chiefs) outside Monrovia from January 20-23, 2021.

At the close of the joint consultative meeting with the Kru Fishing Chiefs, NaFAA through its Director General, Madam Emma Metieh Glassco disclosed a downward adjustment (due to the prevailing rate) in the fishing license fees for the paddle canoes across Liberia.

Hon. Glassco announced that Kru canoe operators will now pay US$50.00 United States Dollars or its equivalent as fishing license fees for 2021 beginning March 31.

Mrs. Glassco furthered stated that in 2007 this was the fees charged by the then Bureau of National Fisheries, BNF under the Ministry of Agriculture as fishing license fees.

NaFAA Boss Emma Metieh Glassco Addressing Paddling Canoe Representatives

The Director General of NaFAA is urging residents of local fishing communities across the nine coastal counties in Liberia to work cooperatively with government in drastically combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities in Liberia.

Speaking Wednesday January 20, 2021 at the start of a three-day consultative stakeholders meeting with kru fishing chiefs taking place at the Mesurado Pier on Bushrod Island, Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco stated that “IUU fishing activities can only be drastically reduced if Residents of affected communities help government fight the menace”.

Mrs. Glassco disclosed plans to launch a community surveillance program throughout fishing communities in Liberia to drastically reduce illegal fishing across the nine coastal counties in Liberia.

The NaFAA Boss mentioned that “the government through NaFAA will do everything possible to support the local fishing authorities in all of the nine coastal counties to aid in the fight against illegal fishing activities”.

Mrs. Glassco said “we need the full support of all legal fishermen to combat illegal fishing” because those illegal fishermen are taking away Liberia’s fisheries resources without any benefit to the country’.

Illegal fishing motorized engines landed at the waterside for transport to Buchanan city

The compliance and enforcement team of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority NaFAA, has arrested some illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishermen mainly Ghanaians.

The NaFAA team headed by the Deputy Director General for Technical Services Hon. William Y. Boeh including his staffers along with the Liberia Coast Guard carried out the arrest along the coast of Grand Kru.

The arrest took place in a hidden fishing community known as Nifu along the Dorbor River, Sass Town connecting the sea in Grand Kru county following a tip off by some local fishermen in Grandcess.

The fishermen in Grandcess informed NaFAA compliance team that those Ghanaian fishermen are migrant fishermen and are involved in illegal activities in Nifu fishing community.

Harper City Maryland

The compliance and enforcement team of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has intensified the collection of 2020/2021 fishing license fees in Harper city and other landing sites in Maryland County.

The NaFAA compliance and enforcement team is currently in Maryland County on a Southeastern tour which began since December 21, 2020 in Grand Bassa County.

 NaFAA team with the help of the Liberia Coast Guard on Monday January 11, 2021 collected half a dozen of canoes belonging to paddling canoe operators in Cavalla fishing community and turned them over to the Town Chief Alexander H. Huskins.

Most of those fishermen in the paddling canoes category more often reneged on the payment of their fishing license fees with the “believe that the waters belong to their ancestors”.

However, due to the presence of the compliance and enforcement team of NaFAA surprising visit in the Cavalla fishing community, some of the paddling canoe fishermen immediately began complying by paying their 2020 fishing fees to NaFAA finance officer in Maryland county. Others promised to make payment after the intervention of their community leadership.

NaFAA DG Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco speaking Friday at EJF Communities for Fisheries Project launch held at the Monrovia City Hall

“Liberia Remains Committed to Sustainable Fisheries Management” Says NaFAA DG

 -As she launches EJF EU $3Million Fisheries Project

The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority NaFAA, says the government of Liberia remains committed to sustainably managing the fisheries sector by employing the best fisheries management practices and ensuring a sustainable exploitation of the resources.

Speaking Friday December 11, 2020 during the official launch of the Environmental Justice Foundation EU sponsored Communities for Fisheries Project held at Monrovia City Hall, Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco disclosed that government through NaFAA approach has been to involve the local communities which required organizing them into Collaborative Management Associations (CMAs).

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY)

Preparation Advance No. IDA V3100

PROJECT ID: P172012

Subject: Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for provision of Consulting Services for Preparation of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Frame Survey Reports

Reference No.: LR-NAFAA-162612-CS-INDV

Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco Director General National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority(NaFAA)

PRESS RELEASE

August 15, 2020

Liberia to Conduct National Fish Stock Assessment 

Monrovia-The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has disclosed that Liberia is to shortly conduct its first ever comprehensive independent national fisheries stock assessment.

Independent assessments conducted on the Liberian fish stock up to date have been done on a Regional level by International Partners usually for a few days and on few species of concern within the region. 

NaFAA DG Emma Metieh Glassco appearance in ELBC Studio

“NaFAA Capable Of Generating up to 30M Annually From Fisheries Sector”

-DG Emma Metieh Glassco

The Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco has said the fisheries authority has the potential of attracting more revenue to support government developmental programs.

According to Mrs. Glassco, NaFAA is capable of generating up to 30 million United States dollars annually if the authority directs its energy towards developing infrastructures, including and designated fishing ports, post-harvest facilities and a robust licensing scheme only from wild marine resources.

Speaking when she appeared on state radio ELBC, Friday, August 14, 2020, the NaFAA director-general said the Authority has secured funding from the World Bank to improve its fishery facilities in the country.

Photo of Tuna Fishing Vessel

 PRESS RELEASE

August 12, 2020

Liberian Gov’t Secures Job Opportunities For Seamen

Monrovia-In fulfillment of the CDC led Government plan to empower skilled and trained Liberians Seamen, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has disclosed that it has secured job opportunities for ten (10) Liberian Seafarers  to board two Liberian licensed international Tuna Fishing Vessels.

A NaFAA press release is quoted as saying that the ten Liberian Seafarers will be recruited from the Liberia Seamen and General Workers Union and the leadership has already been duly informed  about the job opportunities created by the CDC led Government through the Fisheries Authority.

 PRESS RELEASE

August 10, 2020

NaFAA Reacts To Environmental Justice Foundation

-considers report as an instrument of political incitement 

NaFAA Boss Hon. Glassco Addressing Protesting Seamen

Following two days of protest by several members of the Liberian Seamen Union, the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has provided some technical details why the government of Liberia has not licensed the six controversial Chinese fishing vessels currently at the Bong Mines fishing Pier on Bushrod Island.

On July 30 and 31, 2020 aggrieved members of the Liberian Seamen Union stormed the offices of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority on Bushrod Island in an angry mood demanding the licensing of the six Chinese Super trawlers in an attempt to provide them job opportunities.

The angry seamen union members who denied NaFAA’s staff of entering their offices Friday July 31, 2020, alleged that the authorities of NaFAA have decided to deny the six vessels operations on Liberian waters; this, they said would take them from their current state of joblessness and restore their families’ livelihoods.

The protesters claimed that after obtaining international certified training from the Regional Maritime university facilitated by the Liberian government through NaFAA, they have been denied opportunities to board European and other international tuna vessels fishing across the world.

Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP)

National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority

P. O. Box 10-1384 United Nations Drive,

Bushrod Island 1000 MONROVIA 10, LIBERIA 

Madam Emma Metieh Glassco Director General NaFAA

As part of efforts to improve food security, nutrition and income in rural Liberia, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has entered a memorandum of understanding with AfricaRice and the Ministry of Agriculture to implement an EU sponsored Project titled “Desira” with its focus on rice and fish integration.

The signatories of the MOU are the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, Dr. Inoussa Akintayo Country Director AfricaRice, and the Minister of Agriculture Madam Jennie Cooper. The signing ceremony took place recently in Monrovia.

The integrated rice and fish farmers are the primary direct beneficiaries of the project who will benefit directly through access to research, innovations and technologies that will improve the sustainability and productivity of their products.

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Preparation Advance No. IDA V3100
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Services to Develop Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) in favor NaFAA

Reference No.: LR-NAFAA-162611-CS-INDV

Assignment Title: Development of Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF)

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(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY)
Preparation Advance No. IDA V3100
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Subject: Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for provision of Consultancy
Services as Social Development Specialist for LSMFP Project

Reference No.: LR-NAFAA-162585-CS-INDV

Assignment Title: Social Development Specialist

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY) 

Preparation Advance No. IDA V3100 

PROJECT ID: P172012 

Subject: Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for provision of Consulting Services to prepare grievance redress mechanism for project communities 

Reference No.: LR-NAFAA-162611-CS-INDV 

NaFAA DDGA Manoballah Presenting Covid-19 Materials To Fishing Chief In West Point

NaFAA, EU Distribute COVID-19 hygiene materials to Fishing Communities

Mon.; Lib.; Tuesday, June 9, 2020: As part of efforts to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) with support from the European Union has begun the first of several distributions of assorted hygiene materials to fishing communities in West Point - one of the many coastal communities in Montserrado County.

The NaFAA and EU COVID-19 materials will be distributed in fishing communities situated in Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount and Margibi Counties.

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 Social Development Specialist for LSMFP Project

Reference No.: LR-NAFAA-162585-CS-INDV

Assignment Title: Social Development Specialist

The Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) is commencing the preparatory process for the ‘Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project” (LSMFP) with funding from the World Bank Group, and requires the services of a Social Development Specialist.

As part of efforts to ensure continuous food security in Liberia, the Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) in consultation with major Fish Importers in Liberia wishes to announce a US$2.00 reduction in the prices of fish products.

The US$2.00 reduction in these specific fish products that are mostly consumed by the Liberian people, is intended to reduce the retail cost of fish in the market.

All fish sellers or Fish Mongers are hereby mandated to take advantage of the intervention by the government of Liberia and avoid any artificial increment in the prices of those fish on the markets.

Authorities of the Liberia Marketing Association in the various markets are call upon to take note and ensure that all marketers sell Bonnie, Horse Markerel, Shinny Lady, and Snapper C, B in line with the reduction agreed upon by NaFAA and the various fish importers to enable affordability of fish on the market.

The US$2.00 reduction in the prices of fish products including cartoons of 1. Bony, 2.Horse Markerel, 3. Shinny Lady, 4.Snapper C 5.Snapper B, 6. Zipper has taken effect since Monday April 13, 2020, up to the end of the three weeks State of Emergency announced by the government to ensure a proper protection of everyone against the coronavirus disease.

Laboratory Equipment from Iceland packed in the Competent lap at the Mesurado Pier NaFAA’s Technical Building Coast Guard Base Bushrod Island

The Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has disclosed that all is set for the setting up and subsequent operation of a fisheries competent laboratory (Post-Harvest and Quality Assurance) as the state of the art Laboratory equipment has arrived in Monrovia under the Icelandic project.  

Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco pointed out that Liberia is a coastal state with the second longest coastline in the sub-region next to Nigeria. She said “although Liberia is very rich in high value commercial quantities of both demersal and pelagic fish stocks, the country has lost its exporting powers to international fish markets due to the failure to set up a competent laboratory for the purpose of testing and certification of fish products.  As a result, there is a huge revenue leakage”.

Mrs. Glassco mentioned that NaFAA has also demonstrated its willingness to adopt ISO- International Organization for Standardization's protocols of which will be laid out in its updated 2020 regulations and has gone one step further by ratifying international treaties such as the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), an FAO legal instrument in an effort to get the required accreditation either from USA, EU, UK among others for export.

The Liberian fisheries Expert further mentioned that the competent Laboratory when completed will actually be first of its kind since the 1970s.  

To deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing across Liberia, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has fined an Ivorian Fishing Boat US$5,000.00 consistent with the 2010 Fisheries Regulations. 

The Ivorian Boat which had entered Liberian waters illegally was arrested Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Grandcess, Grand Kru County with the help of the Community Based Surveillance Network, a local community-based organization along fishing communities in Liberia’s nine coastal counties.

The seven illegal Ivorian fishermen are currently being detained by the local authorities in Grandcess and their semi industrial fishing boat has been confiscated.

A NaFAA press release issued Saturday April 4, 2020 quotes its Deputy Director General for Technical Services as saying that the illegal Ivoirian fishing vessel SP202 was spotted by some members of the Community Based Surveillance Network who later informed NaFAA’s fisheries team in Grandcess about the illegal fishing activities.

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.