MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aqua-Culture Authority (NAFAA), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with seven collaborative Management Associations (CMAs).

The MOU is intended to aid the Government in fighting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Liberia’s territorial waters, and also assist the NAFAA’s Compliance and Enforcement Teams in the collection of lawful fishing license fees.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the NAFAA’s Corporate Headquarters over the weekend, the entity’s Deputy Director General for Technical Services, William Boeh, maintained that the CMAs are pivotal to the Fishing Sector.

He disclosed that NAFAA is prepared to make thirty percent of the revenue generated during the compliance and enforcement exercise for their operations available to the CMAs.

The NAFAA Deputy Director General called upon the European Union (EU) to finance the establishment of the CMAs in Rivercess and Maryland Counties to help the local fishing organizations in those two remaining counties reduce illegal fishing activities.

Making remarks on behalf of the EU, the EU Green Economy Team Lead, Montse Pantaleoni, disclosed that the EU is on the verge of launching a new fisheries and agriculture project to strengthen the value chain.

Madam Pantaleoni said: “The EU is optimistic that the new fisheries and agriculture project will lead to transformation of the Sector across the Country and, the EU is prepared to work collectively with NAFAA and the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance such transformation.”

By: Anthony Vanwen