LIBERIA – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has pledged support and ensure improvement of the fisheries sector in Liberia, according to the NEWS.
FAO will provide the needed logistical support to ensure overall transformation and improvement of the Liberian Fisheries Sector.
This is geared towards economic empowerment in Liberia with a potential to impact the world food production and security.
In regard to this FAO has donated three laptop computers to the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) highlighting the need to equip the government agency to full realise the potential of the sector.
“As one of FAO’s partners, Liberians can be assured that this United Nations Organization will push for more logistical support to improve the Liberian Fisheries sector,” said Mariatou Njie, FAO Country Representative in Liberia.
She added that the organisation will donate vehicles to the management of NaFAA with the first vehicle to be made available shortly.
FAO commended the government for high level of improvement and farsightedness brought to the sector especially through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority.
Liberia-EU partnership
The government of Liberia holds a five-year sustainable fisheries partnership agreement (SFPA) giving it access to up to 34 EU fishing vessels.
Under the SFPA agreement, Liberia receives access fees, a payment for each tonne of fish caught, and additional financial support to help build the capacity of NaFAA, to a total of US$3.80 million to up to 2020.
The EU partnership is meant to impact fisheries development in Liberia.
Such moves build on moves by NaFAA to increase inward investment into the fisheries sector, without risking the increased landings being made by Liberian fishermen, or the fish stocks and eco-systems which support 30,000 fisheries related jobs in the country.
