GREENVILLE, Sinoe – The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has announced a partnership with the U.K.-based Environmental Justice Foundation to ensure more sustainable, legal, and equitable fisheries in Liberia.

According to NaFAA’s communications director, Lewis Konoe, the two organizations came to an agreement over the weekend in Marshall, Margibi to work together to protect Liberian fisheries through sustainable fishing and to improve the sector.

“The two fisheries institutions pledged to strengthen collaboration to improve sustainable fisheries across Liberia by jointly playing vital roles in supporting the monitoring and management of the coastal ecosystems that provide food and livelihoods to fishing communities,” Konoe said.

He added that the understanding between the two organizations would allow them to identify any gaps in fisheries management and create potential roadmaps for addressing those gaps.

The Environmental Justice Foundation currently has a European Union-funded project, Communities for Fisheries, that focuses on facilitating ‘co-management fisheries regime’ where governments work with local fishing communities to create sustainable and equitable management plans.

According to a press release issued by NaFAA, the EJF expressed appreciation to partner with NaFAA. Its executive director, Steve Trent, said, “Co-management will benefit not only communities but also policymakers who may have limited resources at their disposal, as well as providing the government with a source of specialists with local knowledge.”

According to the press release, EJF has worked in Liberia for almost a decade, including throughout the Ebola crisis. Fishing is a vital source of food and income for coastal communities’ dwellers in Liberia. NaFAA says the sector provides full-time and part-time employment for 37,000 people and contributes about 10 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Featured photo by Teahwleh Clarke Geeplay