National Fisheries And Aquaculture Authority of Liberia

18/10/2023

Politics is a game similar to Business. If you understand the game of Business, you might understand politics. My friend before you support any political parties you must be close to the power that be or close to the people that are close to the power that be. Nobody should tell you it is in the interest of national development. First of all, they are all seeking jobs which is why they want to die for it. If you do not know or are not closer to anyone in the party authority do not go there else you will soon be an opposition. Before joining a political party these are a few things to consider.

1. In Politics, no one has your interest at heart, Everyone has their interest.

A. In Business, no one wants to lose, every business person aims to maximize profits.

2. In Politics, there is always someone who has been used, and if you look around and can not find the person been used, then it's you.

B. In Business there is no free commodity, every commodity has some value attached either to the present or the future.

3. Political Parties are formed based on individual interest that turns into the collective interest of the group members.

C. Every Business Proposal has a goal for the individual who is formulating the business Idea and he incorporates like-minded individuals.

4. In Politics the voters are the customers and the party manifesto is the commodity.

D. In Business the Product/Services are the commodities the buyers are the customers.

The only difference is that the company/institution keeps coming to people even after a business transaction in politics after the elections the political parties wait for the next elections to come to their customers. 😂😂😂😂
Please be wise and know who you are supporting in these elections, national development is successful once there is individual development. Ex: if you build a modern house in a particular sport, no one else will come and build in that sport. Politic and camping are not a child's play only talking about supporting a party without benefit. La six years we talking about ooo 😂😂😂😂😂😂.

25/11/2019

Liberia Signs Technical Corporation To Assist Export Fish To EU Market

The government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) and the Ministry of Commerce Friday November 22, 2019 signed a Technical Cooperation with the Ghana Standard Authority as a temporary arrangement for the certification and testing of Liberian Fish and Fish Product only, for export to the EU market.

At the same time, Liberia has sent two technicians from the Commerce Ministry to Brussels to undergo training for the REX Program (Registered of Exporters) so that the REX program can be maintained and implemented in Liberia. These are set criteria prior to the commencement for direct export of fish and fish product from Liberia to the EU market.

According to a NaFAA Press Release, Prior to this arrangement, the Legislature under the Weah led government signed unto the economic partnership agreement which is the framework for implementing the REX program which allows export to EU market on a zero% tariff basis. And, this is the first time that Liberia fish and fish product will be exported to the EU market under this program and it’s also a gateway for other Liberian products to hit the EU market.

In another development, Liberia through NaFAA for the first time, has Flagged Two Tuna Purse seiners of Sovereign Trade Services a Liberian registered company (industrial pelagic fishing vessels) on its domestic vessel registry and attracted investment to start operating by January 2020.

11/11/2019

French Tuna Vessel ‘Avel Vor’ sinks off Liberian Coast

Monrovia - The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has disclosed that a Liberian licensed French tuna fishing vessel ‘Avel Vor’ has sunk some 180 nautical miles off Liberia’s coast last week.
The vessel was on its way sailing to fishing grounds when, in the evening of October 27, it struck an unidentified underwater object.
The NaFAA release mentioned that 23 crew members, including ten Frenchmen and a fishery observer, were saved by three other Tuna Vessels.
According to a NaFAA press release, the hull of the vessel was breached, thereby enabling water to flood the engine room. The ship’s pumps became incapable of controlling water ingress; as a result, the Captain ordered his 23 crew members to abandon the vessel.
The entry report received by the Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC) of NaFAA further disclosed that 20,000 kg of Tuna and Tuna-like species were on board the French Tuna Vessel.
It is recalled that the Avel Vor experienced a leakage in the night of October 27, 2019 in the Gulf of Guinea, 315 kilometers off the coast of Liberia, following a water ingress in the engine room which could not be brought under control.
The NaFAA release further stated that three days after the vessel had sailed from Abidjan and was headed towards its fishing ground, some crew members heard a sound on the hull that could be a shock to an unidentified floating object.
The bilge alarm of the engine room was triggered, and it flooded rapidly, so that the pumps could not cope with the incoming water, leading the Capitan to have ordered abandonment of the vessel.
All day long on October 28, 2019, tug with additional pumps and a diver team was awaited eagerly, while the Avel Vor continued to sink slowly.
In the early morning of October 29,2019, it disappeared from the radar. Another tuna fishing vessel “Pendruc” remained in the area with part of the crew. At daylight there was no trace of the ship. The Pendruc recovered floating objects that could be dangerous for navigation.
Meanwhile, analysis done at the Liberia Fisheries Monitoring Center established that the vessel entered the Liberian Exclusive Economic Zone on October 26, 2019 at 23:09:32 UTC at this position Lat. 2° 8' 46" N.

23/10/2019

Liberia Signs Cape Town Agreement
-Commits To Full Compliance Of Int’l Fisheries Protocols

Monrovia - The Liberian government, through the Director General of the National Fsheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), has signed the Cape Town Agreement, committing to the full implementation of the international fisheries protocols.

The Cape Town Agreement, among other things, provides for standards, compliance on the minimum requirements on the design, construction, equipment, and inspection of fishing vessels of 24 meters and above operating on high seas and not the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Signing the cape town agreement Monday October 21, 2019 in spain at the Ministerial conference on fishing vessel safety and IUU fishing of the IMO in Malaga, Spain, Mrs. Emma Glassco called on all members of the IMO states to consider signing the Cape Town Agreement.

Mrs. Glassco said “Liberia believe that by ratifying the CTA, member states will have the ability to significantly reduce the exploitation of both the oceans and the people who depend on them”.

She added “the agreement’s entry into force would improve safety and working conditions in one of the most dangerous professions in the world and minimize opportunities for unscrupulous operators to profit from the IUU fishing operations”.

According to a dispatch from the Ministerial Conference, the Liberian Fisheries boss further mentioned that “let it be known that Liberia, as a Coastal State, Flag State, and Port State, has agreed to sign the CTA and is committed to ensuring compliance in its National Fishing vessels inspectorate and Compliance programs”.

Disclosing the success story of Liberia in the Maritime world, madam Glassco intimated that “Liberia as the second largest ship registry in the world has made significant strides in ensuring a well-managed and professional maritime system in keeping with international protocol of the highest safety standards”.

She mentioned “ that Liberia was one of the first countries to sign onto the ILO Convention as well as the 2006 Maritime Labor Convention, adding that Liberia remains committed to ensuring that these international protocols and conventions are fully utilized in the management of its maritime sector.”

The NaFAA Boss noted that today, the Fisheries is now an independent entity of Government by law, as the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, with the responsibility to ensure the proper management of the Fisheries sector, covering fish resources, fishing vessels and crew, as well as fisher folks and fish farming.

As a leading National sector entity, madam Glassco furthered “we have established that the need to adopt international best practices for the governance of the sector cannot be overly emphasized and in achieving same, we have strengthened our Inspectorate program, under the MCS division as well as acceded to several international convention, such as the IWC, FAO Post State Measure Agreement and adopted a National Plan Of Action on IUU”.

The Liberian Fisheries Director stressed that “this Cape Town and Torremolinos agreements provide an opportunity to strengthen our already strong compliance program for safety of fishing vessels at sea”.

She acknowledged that since the development of the Torremolinos Agreement and the Cape Town Agreement, Liberia has not signed onto the agreement, as we have been engaged in consultations regarding the terms of the treaties.
She however said, “today we have recognized that the Agreements provide standards for compliance on the minimum requirements on the design, construction, equipment, and inspection of fishing vessels of 24 meters and above operating on high seas and not the EEZ”.

The NaFAA Boss explained that the Liberia Maritime Authority conducts safety inspection to conform to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention for merchant ships, while this Agreement empowers the Fisheries Authority and other labor agencies to conduct a safety inspection of fishing vessels and crews in our Port that conforms to our measures of safety.

She said, “we are aware that the treaty consists of minimum safety measures for fishing vessels that mirror the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) which is an internationally binding treaty on safety for merchant vessels that was entered into force in 1980 and calls for harmonized fisheries, labor, and safety inspections”.

Madam Glassco noted that as a coastal state, committing to the Agreement would provide higher safety standards for fishing vessels operating in our coastal waters. As such, she mentioned that this would include minimizing risk to our nationals who work as crew and our observers on board these foreign-flagged vessels. She disclosed that “Liberia has a 100% Observer coverage for all domestic trawlers”.

A dispatch quoting madam Glassco indicated that the new standards for compliance may mitigate chance of vessel incidents in their waters such as foundering, fire, capsizing, or collision that would usually require assistance from their maritime authority or coast guard.

Commenting more on the agreement, madam Glassco noted that it would also allow inspection of foreign-flagged vessels and would increase the transparency of the fishing operations, working conditions, and safety standards even if the vessel’s flag State is not a party to the Agreement, noting that “Liberia, as a flag State upholds these minimum safety standards for our global fishing fleet, potentially saving the lives of thousands of fishers operating on the high seas”.

The NaFAA Director General confirmed that “our regular inspections in line with the CTA will make fishing activities and vessels’ safety and working conditions more transparent and safe. Vessel operators will be encouraged to invest in the safety and welfare of their crews, mitigating the exploitation of their crew and additionally, the regular inspections will also discourage vessel operators to fish illegally.

Madam Glassco said “we all are aware, that when illegal or unsafe vessels operate near ports, they increase the risk of collisions and groundings which can require expensive search and rescue operations. Ratifying and implementing the CTA would provide a port State with another route for vessel inspections, improving the safety of vessels operating within its territorial waters and increasing the likelihood that it can identify IUU fishing practices. It would also increase the safety of vessels accepted to our registry, minimizing the risk of incidents that are dangerous, costly, and time consuming to resolve”.

She concluded by stating that the CTA’s entry into force would give States a powerful tool to ensure that vessels flying their flags are held accountable for the safety of their crews; that fishing operations are conducted safely and legally; and that their safety obligations as responsible flag States are fulfilled. It would encourage vessel operators to adopt a responsible approach to what is an inherently dangerous activity and it would also help States to safeguard their citizens who work on board foreign-flagged vessels and mitigate the risk of IUU fish entering their markets.

22/10/2019

NaFAA’s Acting DG Bags Another Huge Honor
-As Most Outstanding Administrator of the year 2019

Monrovia - The Acting Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority of Liberia, Hon. Augustine M. Manoballah, has bagged another huge honor for his impactful contributions towards the youthful population of Liberia.

Hon. Manoballah was on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 named and certificated as the most outstanding administrator and Liberian educator of the year, by the Liberia Youth Network Initiative.

Speaking at the official honoring ceremony held in Monrovia, the Liberia Youth Network Initiative was quick to thank the Liberian President, Dr. George M. Weah, for the inclusion of Hon. Augustine Manoballah in the government, stressing that his innovation and selflessness have greatly impacted young people across the country.

According to the group’s Program Director, Mr. Varney Kromah, Hon. Manoballah’s quest to empower young people through the provision of scholarships and financial aid, as well as his engagement with community-based youth and women organizations to undertake meaningful endeavors are a clear demonstration of his unending support towards the overall achievement of the government’s Pro-poor agenda for prosperity and development.

The group further indicated that the acting NaFAA boss has exhibited high level of competence, maturity and support to his boss, the Director General, and has ably managed the administrative governance of the Liberian fisheries sector which has led to the many achievements made in the sector for two years running.

Receiving the honor, NaFAA’s acting Director General, Augustine Manoballah commended the group for meticulously following the works of those in the public space and recognizing the commitment of those striving to ensure that progress is made in their areas of assignment.

He thanked His Excellency President George M. Weah for affording him the opportunity to serve the people of Liberia, while dedicating the honor to the cordial working relationship that continues to exist between him and his boss, the Director General, as well as the unwavering support and competence of his entire staffs.

Hon. Manoballah reaffirmed his commitment and determined will to continuously impact young people, particularly the underprivileged, in whatever meagre way as a means of giving back to society; while at the same time committing to the sustainable management of Liberia’s fisheries resources with the goal of making Liberia’s ocean the engine of national growth.

The acting NaFAA boss challenged his colleagues in the public space to remain focused, and not swayed by the noise, in the discharge of their duties with the ultimate goal of lifting Liberians to the buoyancy of prosperity through the government’s development agenda, the Pro-poor agenda for prosperity and development.

21/10/2019

The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco will serve as Speaker at the women in fisheries side event to be held on the margins of the Minist…

18/10/2019

EU Supports Capacity Building At NaFAA
-Over 200 Staffs Trained In Internet Outlook

Monrovia - A two day European Union Sponsored Internet Outlook Training for staffs of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has kicked off at the Mesurado Pier on the Bushrod Island outside Monrovia.

The training, which seeks to benefit over 200 of NaFAA staffs, is part of efforts by the EU to strengthen capacity building in the fisheries sector of the country.

The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority in the area of capacity development of its workforce.

Speaking on behalf of the EU at the start of the Internet Outlook Training, the EU Consultant seconded to NaFAA, Andy Reed emphasized the EU’s preparedness to providing the required support needed to facilitate the institution’s programs directed towards capacity building for its staffs.

Reed said the training will boost the image of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority locally and International “giving investors’ confidence that NaFAA is a trust worthy fisheries institution that is ready to do business with potential investors”

Meanwhile, declaring the internet training open, the Acting Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority of Liberia, Mr. Augustine Manoballah, emphasized the need for increased capacity building training for government employees.

Mr. Manoballah said, capacity building is cardinal to the overall function of government entities.

Manoballah noted that with the support of the European Union, the Management of NaFAA is prepared to utilize every opportunity to have its staff fully equipped to properly impact the Liberian Fisheries sector.

The Acting Director General urged NaFAA Staffs to take advantage of the training and utilize the knowledge gained to transform the fisheries sector.

He commended the European Union for its high level technical support to the Liberian Fisheries sector which according to him has positively impacted the fisheries sector over the years.

Mr. Manoballah further mentioned that following the Internet Outlook Training, staffs of NaFAA will then be enabled to use only their assigned email addresses on the entity’s official domain, rather than their personal email addresses as was done in the past.

This he believes, will strengthen internal communications and information management, as well as, increase efficiency amongst various Departments within the institution.

The training is being facilitated by Access Training Institute, a Liberian owned training hub.

24/09/2019

The Management of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority of Liberia extends heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Siekula T. Vannie, Director-Human Resources, on the occasion of his birth anniversary. May God's choicest blessings attend your every step.

09/09/2019

NaFAA Boss Holds High Level Bilateral Negotiations with Japan, Nigeria

The Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) is expected to sign a grant agreement with the Japanese government for the supply of Motorize Yamaha engines on October 7, 2019 in an effort to empower local fishermen.

This was confirmed during a side meeting at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) with the Hon Kenji Kagawa special Advisor to the minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries and Director of Oversea cooperation office and international affairs division of the fisheries agency of Japan in person of Hon Takaai Sakamato.

This initiative according to the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority who has just returned from Japan will increase local fish production thereby making fish more available on the domestic market hence reducing net importation of fish product so as to sustain a trade balance.

At the same time, Mrs. Glassco disclosed that NaFAA has presented a grant proposal (which is being reviewed by the Japanese government for possible consideration) for the construction of a Modernize Fishing Port/ Landing Cluster which includes Processing Facilities, Dry Docking, Fresh fish Market and Marine Store, valued at 7.8m USD to be constructed in Fanti Town, Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County.

Madam Glassco said this will significantly reduce post-harvest loss, add value to fish product being harvested to be sold on the domestic market and in so doing, produce certified high valued fish products for export to International markets.

In another development, during another side meeting the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority seized the opportunity to hold discussion with Nigerian President H.E. Muhammadu Buhari and his Foreign Minister Hon. Geoffrey Jidefor Onyeama in Japan.

According to Madam Glassco, the brief discussion with President Buhari and foreign Minister Onyeama centered on possible Fisheries bilateral cooperation with focus on fish farming.

29/04/2019

Ref: National Fisheries Authority Liberia

NaFAA Receives New Fisheries Patrol Vessel The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority is commending the Welsh Government of the United Kingdom for donating a fisheries patrol vessel to Liberia. The Fisheries patrol vessel, the Pride of Wales, arrived on the 26th of Apri...

17/04/2019

NaFAA Celebrates Director General’s Birthday

The senior management and staff of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority of Liberia extend best wishes of God’s choicest blessings to Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco, Director General on the occasion marking her birth anniversary.

Your leadership at NaFAA continues to be a great source of inspiration to all and sundry. Your desire of achieving the very best for your country is enviable; you stop at nothing to get the job done.

Since your preferment as the first ever female Director General of the country’s fisheries sector, you have consistently sought to attract investment in diverse areas of the sector, to include: Aquaculture, fish landing and processing facilities, offshore Tunas among others, with the goal of enabling the country to benefit immensely in the areas of food security, job creation, increased revenue generation as well as opportunities for the country’s local fishermen and fish mongers, which supports Pillar 2 (Economy and Jobs) of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development.

As we celebrate this day with you, may the good Lord increase your intuitive brilliance, bestow upon you his unending Grace and wisdom as you continue to remain committed to the sustainable management of the country’s fishery resources in a transparent and credible manner that impacts the greater good of the country and its people. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DG!