Liberia – NaFAA Hosts EJF Acting Chief Representative to Strengthen Fisheries Collaboration
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has received Ms. Olivia Precious Livingstone, Acting Chief Representative of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) in Liberia, for a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening collaboration on fisheries governance, coastal resource management, and ongoing sector reforms.
The visit, following Ms. Livingstone’s official announcement in October 2026, provided an opportunity for discussions with NaFAA’s Director General on the status of Collaborative Management Associations (CMAs) across Liberia’s nine coastal counties and opportunities for closer collaboration between NaFAA and EJF to strengthen their institutional capacity, functionality, and effectiveness.
Discussions focused on how both institutions can work more closely to support the development and strengthening of CMAs as important community-based structures for fisheries co-management, local participation, sustainable resource utilization, and improved fisheries compliance. Strengthening these structures is critical to ensuring that coastal fishing communities play a more active role in protecting fisheries resources and promoting responsible fishing practices.
The engagement also highlighted EJF’s ongoing support to Liberia’s fisheries sector, particularly its intervention in the review of the country’s fisheries legal framework, supported through a US$500,000 grant from Oceans5. The legal review presents an important opportunity to modernize the existing fisheries legislation, address emerging governance challenges, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and align Liberia’s fisheries regulatory framework with evolving international best practices.
Additionally, both parties discussed the preliminary assessment of the C188 Roadmap towards ratification of the International Labour Organization’s Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188). This initiative is particularly significant to improving working conditions, occupational safety, welfare, and labour protections for fishers, while advancing Liberia’s commitment to responsible and sustainable fisheries management.
These engagements are consistent with the strategic direction outlined in NaFAA’s recently developed 10-Year Fisheries Sector Strategic Plan, which was presented to His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. The roadmap provides a long-term framework for transforming Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector through stronger governance and institutions, sustainable fisheries management, improved regulatory compliance, community participation, investment mobilization, and enhanced social and economic benefits for fishing communities.
The collaboration with EJF, particularly in strengthening CMAs, reviewing the fisheries legal framework, and advancing the C188 ratification roadmap, represents an important contribution to achieving the objectives of the 10-year strategic plan.
NaFAA recognizes the Environmental Justice Foundation as an important development partner in advancing transparency, accountability, sustainable fisheries management, and the protection of marine ecosystems. The Authority remains committed to strengthening strategic partnerships that deliver practical institutional reforms and lasting benefits to Liberia’s fisheries sector.
Source : NaFAA
