NaFAA, EJF Conclude Roundtable Discussion With FAO

By Fanta L. Keita

MONROVIA, June 18 (LINA) – The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) along with the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has ended a two-day intensive discussion to secure Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries (SSF) in the context of food security and poverty eradication.

The discussion which was held at the Corporate Headquarters of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority in Monrovia, also emphasized the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries, and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT).

Speaking during the meeting NaFAA Human Resource Director Siekula T. Vannie, noted that the Liberian Fisheries Authority has positively engaged with the local fishing communities across the nine coastal counties.

Mr. Vannie who is also the Chief of Staff in the Office of the NaFAA Director General said, with the commitment from international partners, NaFAA has strengthened local fisheries management. 

He disclosed that with support from the European Union, Liberian fishing communities have been strengthened through the establishment of the Co-Management Associations.

Director Vannie acknowledged the European Union on behalf of the Liberian government through NaFAA for their support to the Liberian Fisheries sector.

Presenting an overview of the Community for Fisheries Project, West Africa Regional Manager for EJF, Cephas Asare, mentioned that NaFAA has been overly supportive of the EJF project which is aimed at transforming the fishing communities through the establishment of the Co-Management Associations (CMAs).

Manager Asare mentioned that throughout the project, they have allowed the resource users to form part of the project, and fishing communities ensured the management of the resources.

He noted the project is also intended to enhance the growth of CMAs across the Liberian coastal communities operating in Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Grand Kru Counties.

Also speaking, FAO Assistant Representative for Program, Octavius T. Quarbo, outlined the tremendous efforts the UN organization has made to foster growth and development across several sectors including the fisheries.

Mr. Quarbo mentioned that FAO has supported efforts under the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land and Fisheries, working with multiple actor platforms on responsible agriculture and investment, and land Governance.

He revealed that some of those efforts fed into support from the government of Liberia and different civil society stakeholders which led to the passage of the land rights act.

The FAO Assistant Representative for Program further stated that following the passage of the Land Rights Act, the United Nations Organization was the singular contributor in the areas of finance and technical assistance for the hosting of the first land conference in 2022.