MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Government of Liberia has publicized the reduction in the annual license fees for all artisanal canoes across the country.

Representing President Joseph Boakai at the commissioning of the new fiberglass fishing vessel on Monday, November 24, 2025, said,” The directive comes into full swing effective January 1, 2026.

According to Vice President Koung, for fishermen using paddle canoes, the annual fee drops from fifty to thirty US Dollars.

For those with one to fifteen-horsepower engines, the fee is reduced from two hundred fifty to one hundred seventy-five USD, and for canoes with sixteen to forty-horsepower engines, the new fee is three hundred fifty USD, down from four hundred fifty US Dollars.

VP Koung said,” These reductions are a clear demonstration that the government listens, and that we stand with our fishermen and women”.

The Vice President noted that the President is directing the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) to put in place the necessary modalities to ensure that the new fees are well communicated and implemented effectively across all coastal counties.

Meanwhile, the Vice President has reaffirmed President Joseph Boakai’s unwavering commitment to the growth and transformation of Liberia’s Fisheries Sector.

He said,” The commissioning of Liberia’s first semi-industrial fiberglass vessel is not just a milestone for NaFAA, but a historic step forward for Liberia under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development”.

The Vice President said that the vessel stands as a direct pathway to create jobs for Liberians, growth for the country’s economy, and hope for the nation’s coastal communities.

According to him, the fiberglass vessel symbolizes the determination of the government to harness the vast potential of Liberia’s marine resources for the benefit of all citizens.

Through the vessel. VP Koung said the government is paving the way for increased local fish harvest, reducing dependence on imported fish, and ensuring that more of the wealth from the country’s waters remains in the hands of Liberians.