The Deputy Director General for Technical Services at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, NaFAA has assured that the Liberian Fisheries Authority is prepared to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with seven different Collaborative Management Associations, (CMA) established by the Environmental Justice Foundation under the EU funded Communities for Fisheries Project in four coastal Counties, including Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Grand Bassa and Grand Kru.
Disclosing this on Thursday, October 3, 2024, during the 3rd quarter Steering Committee meeting organized by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), NaFAA’s Deputy Director, William Y. Boeh, mentioned that the CMA MoU signing ceremony will take place Friday, October 4, 2024, at the Corporate Headquarters of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority near Freeport Bushrod Island.
Boeh further stated that the purpose of NaFAA signing the agreement with the seven different CMAs is to enable coastal Dwellers to partner with the Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) to sustainably manage the fisheries resources and mobilize the collection of duly legal revenue from the sector.
At the same time, Boeh noted that the signing ceremony is also intended to enforce the Fisheries Regulation, Fisheries Management Plans, Fisheries Management and Development Law of 2019, and Fisheries and Aquaculture Policies and Strategy.
He also noted that the MoU signing ceremony this Friday is intended to give legal recognition with negotiated responsibilities for sustainable management and good governance of fishery resources in the areas under the CMA’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, Boeh maintained that the signing of the MoU will ensure a sustainable source of livelihood for the coastal communities in Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Grand Kru Counties; provision of voices and platform for fishing communities’ participation in decision-making in fisheries administration and governance; and establishment of a framework for coordination, planning, and implementation of interventions for socio-economic advancement of those fishing communities.
Stakeholders at the EJF Stirring Committee held at EJF headquarters Congo Town
The Fisheries Management and Development Law of 2019 provides that “Co-Management Fisheries Associations (“Associations”) may be established by this Act to exercise rights and responsibilities within a designated area relating to information and decision-making for fisheries conservation, management, and sustainable use.”
Section 3.1 (5) of the National Fisheries Act 2017, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority is under obligation to establish Co-Management of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Association to exercise rights and responsibilities with a designated area relating to information and decision-making for fisheries and aquaculture conservation, management and sustainable use;
In 2011, a National Framework and a strategy document for the establishment of Co-Management Associations were prepared for the guidance of the Bureau of National Fisheries Now the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority in its work towards the promotion of the co-management system.
Meanwhile, members of all the seven established Collaborative Management Associations are already in Monrovia for the signing ceremony according to reports from the Environmental Justice Foundation, EJF.
