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.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION INTEREST

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Preparation Advance No. IDAV3100PROJECT

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Subject: Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for provision of Consultancy Services as Facility Engineer for Robertsport Fish Landing Site Cluster

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
PROJECT ID: P172012

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

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

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.

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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.