The National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority Republic of Liberia

07/09/2026

01/09/2026

NaFAA Convenes First TVET in Fisheries Roundtable to Unlock Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) today convened its first Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Fisheries Roundtable, bringing together key government institutions, academia, development partners, and NaFAA technical leadership to explore new pathways for youth skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, and private-sector growth across Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture value chains.

The roundtable, chaired by NaFAA Senior Management, brought together the Ministry of Youth and Sports Deputy Minister for TVET, Hon. Laraamand S. Nyonton, and his technical team; the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences; teams from the EU-supported Strengthening Artisanal Fisheries and Private Sector Development Projects; and NaFAA Technical Directors.

The discussions focused on transforming fisheries into a stronger platform for skills development and enterprise creation, particularly for young people in Liberia’s coastal and inland counties.

Participants explored practical TVET opportunities including:
🔹 Canoe and fiberglass boat production
🔹 Outboard engine repair and maintenance
🔹 Fishing net and gear production
🔹 Fish feed production
🔹 Fish pond construction and maintenance
🔹 Improved fish smoking oven fabrication
🔹 Locally made cooling and fish preservation systems
🔹 Fish processing, packaging and value addition
🔹 Aquaculture production and related technical services
🔹 Cold-chain and fisheries equipment services

A key message emerging from the discussions was that TVET must go beyond training and certification. Young people should be supported through a complete skills-to-enterprise pathway—from training and apprenticeship to business incubation, access to finance, mentorship, and market linkages.

Speaking at the roundtable, Hon. Laraamand S. Nyonton, Deputy Minister for TVET at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, expressed appreciation to NaFAA for convening the engagement and emphasized the Ministry’s readiness to scale up the discussions and work toward tangible next steps.

The EU-supported project teams also welcomed the initiative and expressed their willingness to collaborate with NaFAA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports on a comprehensive assessment to identify skills gaps, market opportunities, youth interests, existing facilities, private-sector demand, and appropriate training and incubation models.

The goal is clear:
Train. Incubate. Finance. Connect to Markets. Build Businesses. Create Jobs.

NaFAA believes that Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector can become a powerful engine for youth employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive Blue Economy development.

The future of fisheries is not only about catching and producing fish it is also about building the skills, businesses, technologies, and entrepreneurs that will drive the sector forward.

Read more: www.nafaa.gov.lr

26/08/2026

Strengthening Collaboration for Food Safety in Liberia

Today, The National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority Republic of Liberia (NaFAA) paid a courtesy visit to the Food Authority of Liberia, where the NaFAA team had the pleasure of meeting with Hon. Precellia Cherue to strengthen collaboration and explore practical ways of advancing food safety for the people of Liberia.

Food safety is a shared responsibility that requires strong coordination among government institutions, producers, processors, traders, consumers, and development partners. For Liberians, stronger collaboration in this area means safer food, better consumer protection, reduced foodborne illnesses, improved quality standards, and greater confidence in locally produced food.

As institutions with important responsibilities across Liberia’s food system, NaFAA and the Food Authority of Liberia can play complementary roles in strengthening quality assurance, food safety standards, public awareness, compliance, and the overall resilience of Liberia’s fisheries and food value chains.

The engagement was therefore more than a courtesy visit, it was an opportunity to build institutional partnerships, share knowledge, align efforts, and identify practical solutions to challenges affecting the safety, quality, and availability of food in Liberia.

NaFAA appreciates Hon. Precellia Cherue and the Food Authority of Liberia for the warm reception and commitment to strengthening this important partnership.

When Liberian institutions work together, Liberia’s people benefit.

NaFAA remains committed to partnerships that promote safe food, healthy communities, sustainable fisheries, and a better future for all Liberians.

25/08/2026

NaFAA Strengthens Fight Against IUU Fishing 🇱🇷🇺🇸🌊

The National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority Republic of Liberia is proud to benefit from its first U.S. Government International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focused on combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

NaFAA’s Director for Monitoring, Control and Surveillance, Mr. Francis Boimah, has been selected for a specialized three week professional exchange across six U.S. states, alongside fisheries and maritime professionals from several countries.

The program will provide practical exposure to fisheries monitoring, enforcement, governance, technology, interagency coordination and international best practices in the fight against IUU fishing.

This opportunity will strengthen NaFAA’s institutional capacity and support Liberia’s efforts to protect and sustainably manage its marine resources.

NaFAA congratulates Mr. Boimah and extends appreciation to the U.S. Government for this valuable partnership and investment in Liberia’s fisheries sector.

Stronger partnerships. Stronger institutions. A stronger fight against IUU fishing. 🇱🇷🌊



The social media version

19/08/2026

NaFAA, Mercy Corps Sign Landmark MOU to Drive Growth in Liberia’s Fisheries Sector

The National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority Republic of Liberia and Mercy Corps signed an MOU to strengthen Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector through improved market intelligence, value chain development, investment promotion, resource mobilization, and inclusive economic growth.

The partnership will conduct a Market Intelligence Study initially focusing on Sinoe, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa/Montserrado, B**g, and Nimba Counties. The study will assess market opportunities and constraints, enterprise development, value addition, cold-chain systems, investment prospects, and gender-inclusive participation.

Mercy Corps will provide technical expertise in market intelligence, value-chain analysis, gender mainstreaming, and business development, while NaFAA will provide sector leadership, technical guidance, stakeholder coordination, and relevant sector information. Mr. J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr. signed on behalf of NaFAA, while Mr. Jacob A. Sambolah, Director of Programs, signed for Mercy Corps.

NaFAA Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr. welcomed Mercy Corps as a development partner and emphasized the importance of reliable market intelligence in guiding investment and policy decisions. This partnership supports NaFAA’s 2026–2035 Fisheries and Aquaculture Strategic Plan, National Investment Plan, and PPP Strategy to create jobs, increase incomes, attract investment, and unlock sustainable economic opportunities across Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Read more: www.nafaa.gov.lr

19/08/2026

From Fishmonger to Aquapreneur

Some of Liberia’s most inspiring success stories begin small.

Meet Zinah Kpadeayea and his team , a fisheries and aquaculture student and CEO of Aquatic Z Enterprise. Zinah started as a fishmonger, buying fish from landing sites in Montserrado and delivering them to homes with just 6 staff.

Today, growing demand has helped him expand his workforce to 12 employees and move beyond fresh fish into value added products, including hygienically packaged seasoned and spicy fish powder.

After participating in the NaFAA and Orange Liberia Fish Market Day at Invincible Park, Zinah reinvested his increased sales into growing his business.

His journey is a powerful example of what happens when opportunity meets determination.

From fishmonger to aquapreneur.
From fresh fish to value addition.
From 6 employees to 12.
From student to job creator.

This is the kind of youth entrepreneurship we want to see across Liberia.

Through NaFAA’s Business Incubation Program, we look forward to supporting young aquapreneurs like Zinah as they strengthen their businesses, meet quality and standards requirements, access markets and create sustainable employment.

Congratulations, Aquatic Z Enterprise! Your journey has only just begun.

The government of Liberia is building an ecosystem where our young people don’t only look for jobs, they create them.

18/08/2026

Liberia Joins FiTI as an Implementing Country

The National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority Republic of Liberia is pleased to announce that Liberia has officially been approved by the Fisheries Transparency Initiative International Board as a FiTI Implementing Country.

This milestone reinforces Liberia’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible fisheries governance, while strengthening access to reliable fisheries information for stakeholders and the public.

NaFAA looks forward to working with the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) and national stakeholders to promote greater transparency and sustainable management of Liberia’s fisheries resources.

Read more: www.nafaa.gov.lr https://fiti.global/liberia-joins-fiti

The FiTI International Board is pleased to announce that Liberia has been approved as a FiTI Implemeting Country, demonstrating the significant steps that the country’s national authorities have taken to establish an enabling environment for fisheries transparency and stakeholder collaboration.

The completion of this important milestone lays the foundations for Liberia to begin benefiting from a transparent and inclusive fishing sector by demonstrating adherence to the FiTI Standard’s transparency requirements.

Read more about Liberia's acievement 👉 https://fiti.global/liberia-achieves-fiti-implementing-country-status

The National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority Republic of Liberia

14/08/2026

NaFAA Strengthens Fisheries Development Partnerships

August 14, 2026-The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) hosted its Third Quarter Fisheries Development Partners Coordination Group Meeting, bringing together key partners including the World Bank Group, European Union in Liberia, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, FAO Liberia, U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia, the Embassy of Egypt, and others.

The meeting reviewed progress on NaFAA’s 10-Year Strategic Plan, Fisheries Investment Plan, PPP Strategy, Klay Hatchery rehabilitation, Fisheries Complex construction, 2026 World Fisheries Day preparations, Call Center, and the newly established Department of Quality Assurance.

UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Aliou Mamadou Dia expressed optimism about Liberia’s fisheries sector and commended NaFAA for strengthening professional engagement and collaboration with development partners. The European Union also called for stronger coordination, resource mobilization, and intensified support to accelerate sector transformation.

A key outcome was agreement to advance the decentralization of NaFAA services across Liberia’s nine coastal counties, bringing fisheries services closer to fishing communities and improving responsiveness and service delivery.

Established in April 2025, the Fisheries Development Partners Coordination Group continues to serve as a platform for stronger coordination, transparency, partnership, and collective action in advancing Liberia’s fisheries sector and blue economy.
Together, we are building a more coordinated, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable fisheries sector for Liberia.

Read more: www.nafaa.gov.lr

02/08/2026

Ms Fatima D. Siryon, Employee of the Month: July 2026

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) proudly congratulates Ms. Fatima D. Saryon of the Department of Marine Fisheries on being named Employee of the Month, July 2026.
Beyond her regular duties of processing import permits and industrial fishing licenses, Ms. Saryon went above and beyond, processing over 700 artisanal fishing licenses this month alone.
Her dedication, efficiency, and commitment to excellence reflect the very best of NaFAA's mission: strengthening fisheries governance and improving service delivery across Liberia.

She embodies the values that drive our workforce: hard work, accountability, teamwork, and innovation, and she's an inspiration to us all.

Congratulations, Ms. Saryon! Thank you for your outstanding service and dedication to NaFAA and the Fisheries Sector.

28/07/2026

The future belongs to those who dare to prepare for it and the future of Liberia’s fisheries is calling!

If you have chosen to pursue a career in Fisheries and Aquaculture, stand tall because you are on the path to becoming part of one of Liberia’s most transformative and promising sectors.

During the July 25 Fish Market Day, students from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences at the University of Liberia, together with the dedicated champions of the Liberia Ocean Awareness Initiative, had the extraordinary honor of interacting with the President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.

His inspiring message to the students was simple yet profound:

“You are on the right path because this sector has so much potential for you.”

Those words are not just a vote of confidence; they are a reminder that the future of Liberia’s blue economy will be built by young, passionate, and innovative minds. Fisheries is no longer just about catching fish; it is about science, technology, entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship, food security, and creating thousands of opportunities for national prosperity.

To every student and young Liberian with a passion for the ocean, rivers, and aquaculture: keep learning, keep believing, and keep pushing forward. The knowledge you gain today will help feed our nation, protect our marine resources, create jobs, attract investment, and shape a stronger Liberia tomorrow.

Your classroom is preparing you for more than a career; it is preparing you to become a leader in Liberia’s Blue Economy Revolution.

The future is here. The opportunity is real. And your journey has only just begun.