— Advocates for enhanced cooperation among member states
Liberia has assumed the chairmanship at the 15th session for the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) held in Monrovia.
Emma Metieh Glassco, Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), formally took over the role of Chairperson to manage the affairs of the sub-regional board. In her inaugural speech, Madam Glassco emphasized the crucial need for strengthened partnerships among member states to tackle ongoing challenges in the fisheries sector.
Madam Glassco disclosed ambitious plans to explore possibilities of increasing the membership of the FCWC from 6–10 while assuming the chairpersonship of the regional fisheries body during the ministerial session, which was attended by Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai and his entourage.
The conference, which began from the 11th to the 13th of December 2024, was held under the theme, “Promoting Decent Work and Strengthening Marine Ecosystem Resilience for Sustainability.” It brought together esteemed participants, including Liberia’s own NaFAA leadership and international partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank (WB), the European Union (EU), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Liberia’s efforts to tackle these challenges were highlighted, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art Fisheries Monitoring Center in partnership with the Liberia Maritime Authority.
This facility leverages advanced technologies to monitor and protect Liberia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from illegal activities.
The FCWC, established in 2007, includes six West African nations: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and Liberia. Its primary goal is to promote cooperative management of shared fishing resources and encourage good governance across the region.
However, Glassco took over from the outgoing chairperson (Mavis Hawa Koomsom), Ghana’s former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. The NaFAA boss has exhibited a strong passion for the fishing sector over the years and acknowledged the exemplary leadership demonstrated by Ghana, particularly in implementing new fishing management strategies such as seasonal closures and regional sea patrols, while highlighting the need for Liberia to prepare for its new responsibilities.
Emma Metieh Glassco, the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), formally received the FCWC flag and takes over the role of Chairperson to manage the affairs of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Body.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RxY5WA-1VA1QTzywrIZsfEw8pGl5XGAQ/view?usp=drive_link
Despite initial skepticism regarding Liberia’s readiness to assume the chairmanship, Glassco expressed confidence in the country’s commitment to advancing good fisheries governance. She outlined her vision for the FCWC, which includes facilitating inter-regional trade, harmonizing licensing regimes, and strengthening bilateral cooperation through shared technical knowledge.
In addressing labor conditions within the sector, Glassco referenced the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) standards for fishing crews, asserting that many vessels still operate under unsafe conditions. She urged member states to adhere to international treaties, specifically the Cape Town Convention, to improve fishing vessel safety. “Liberia is also actively enhancing technical training for seafarers in collaboration with regional institutions to close knowledge gaps in the fishing field,” she noted.
Climate change was another focal point of her address, with Glassco warning that it poses significant threats to marine ecosystems and food security in coastal communities. She called for the establishment of regional regulatory frameworks to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU), citing alarming trends in fish stock declines attributed to unsustainable practices.
As part of Liberia’s forward-looking strategy, Madam Glassco also proposed expanding FCWC membership from six to ten countries and emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in implementing management frameworks like seasonal fishing closures to aid recovery of fish stocks.
The NaFAA Boss also stated that the challenges facing the fisheries sector are immense but can be addressed through collective commitment to sustainable management practices and effective governance. She called on member states to uphold their financial responsibilities to the FCWC and strengthen partnerships with international stakeholders to foster impactful outcomes.
“Today’s discussions culminated with the adoption of the “Monrovia Declaration”, which supports the initiation of a regional closed fishing season aimed at reversing the declining condition of fish stocks. As Liberia embraces its leadership role, it positions itself as a critical player in promoting sustainable fisheries management in the Gulf of Guinea, ensuring both ecological balance and economic stability for its people.
Glassco, as the new Chairperson, is expected to lead initiatives aimed at strengthening fisheries governance, implementing the Monrovia Declaration, and promoting scientific research to guide sustainable practices across member states.
Her leadership aims to strengthen Liberia’s influence in regional fisheries governance, setting the stage for collaborative efforts to preserve marine ecosystems and improve economic opportunities for millions of people who rely on the fisheries sector.
Meanwhile, EU Ambassador Nona Deprez underscored the EU’s commitment to sustainability and regional cooperation. She reaffirmed the EU’s Green Deal priorities, highlighting the goal of becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral continent by 2050, an ambitious strategy that influences both internal policies and international partnerships.
Ambassador Deprez emphasized the growing importance of the blue economy, which focuses on sustainable use of oceans, lakes, and rivers. She noted that ecosystems like mangroves, vital spawning grounds for many fish species, capture significantly more carbon than forests, underscoring the need to preserve these resources.
In her remarks, Ambassador Deprez congratulated attendees on adopting the 2025 work program and recommendations, describing the power of regional cooperation as “immense.” She highlighted the EU’s guiding principle of “leaving no one behind” and praised the conference’s focus on promoting decent work in the fishing sector.
The Ambassador also emphasized the critical role of regional fisheries management organizations in ensuring sustainability. She pointed to the EU’s recent agreement on total allowable catch and fishing limits for the Atlantic, North Sea, and Black Sea as an example of effective fisheries management. “Without such agreements, fisheries have no future,” she stated.
Acknowledging Liberia’s efforts in advancing regional fisheries research, she commended the country for hosting the EU-commissioned research vessel, The Atlas, which conducted Liberia’s first stock assessment. She expressed hope for the timely release of the assessment report, emphasizing its importance for West African waters’ sustainability. Ambassador Deprez lauded Liberia’s commitment to fighting illegal fishing, calling for continued regional cooperation to monitor, survey, and control any illegal activities.
Ambassador Deprez also detailed the EU’s support for Liberia’s fishing sector through various programs. The EU’s West Africa Sustainable Oceans Program (WASAP) aims to promote sustainable fishing practices across the region, including in Liberia. Additionally, the EU’s bilateral Production to Productivity (P2P) program focuses on enhancing food safety, supporting the Liberia Standards Authority, and improving aquaculture practices with initiatives like seed banks to boost production.
Finally, she announced that the EU has approved the development of a new program to support Liberia’s artisanal coastal fisheries, which will align with regional initiatives. Ambassador Deprez reiterated the EU’s commitment to fostering sustainability, enhancing governance, and empowering fisher communities in Liberia and the broader region.
