Bushrod Island, Monrovia, Liberia – The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Monday April 26, 2021, signed two major fishery projects with the Food and Agriculture Organization aimed at strengthening the Liberian fishery sector.

The two projects are the ‘Livelihood Empowerment of women in small-scale fisheries (SSF) and the Assessment of Sea Cucumber Fisheries along the coast in Liberia.

The Livelihood Empowerment of women in small-scale fisheries (SSF) is valued at seven hundred forty-nine thousand United States dollars and will benefit about one thousand Liberian women fishmongers.

The Assessment of Sea Cucumber Fisheries project is valued at 91 thousand United States dollars and will last for a period of twelve months with the FAO providing technical support.

Speaking during the signing ceremony on the Bushrod Island, the Director-General of NaFAA Emma Glassco said that FAO has been one of the first international partners to expressed interest in helping the Liberian government to manage sea cucumbers.

Madam Glassco disclosed that sea cucumbers have been newly discovered in Liberian waters and are valuable internationally on Asian markets.

For her part, FAO Country Representative to Liberia Maritztou Njie noted that the Livelihood Empowerment of women in small-scale fisheries will help improve the productive capacity and resilience of small-scale fishery operators, especially women.