LIBERIA – The Deputy Director General for Technical Services of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) Hon. William Y. Boeh has disclosed plans by the Liberian fisheries authority with support from international partners that the Co-Management Association (CMA) will be established in all coastal counties.
Currently, there are established Co-Management Associations in Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Margibi, and Grand Bassa Counties to enhance the sustainability of the Liberian fisheries sector.
It can be recalled, in 2019, the Management of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority established the Co-Management Association jointly in Montserrado and Bomi Counties. With financial support from the European Union, the Environmental Justice Foundation recently established the Co-Management Association in Grand Bassa and Margibi counties under its communities for fisheries projects.
Speaking Friday during the validation exercise of the CMA constitution, Hon Boeh said the CMA constitution upon completion of the validation exercise will enhance the operations of the CMAs established in Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Margibi, and Grand Bassa Counties.
Hon. Boeh noted that the Co-Management Association Constitution will at the same time, give all the CMAs what he termed as the legal regime in order to fast-track their operations and ensure that they operate appropriately across the fishing communities.
Moreover, Hon Boeh challenged the participants to make contributions that would ensure a better validation of the CMA constitution and lead to the sustainability of the Liberian fisheries sector.
Meanwhile, the Chief Representative of the Environmental Justice Foundation in Liberia Cephas Asare called for collaborative engagements among parties including the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, the Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association, and the various Co-Management Associations to ensure success in the sustainable management of Liberian fisheries.
Mr. Asare assured that once there exists cooperation among all parties in Liberia through its Fisheries Authority, NaFAA will be successful in its plan to ensure sustainable fisheries across the nine coastal counties.
It can be recalled in November 2022, Grand Bassa CMA leadership was inducted into office in the port city of Buchanan following their election. The establishment of CMA is expected to continue across southeastern counties with the latest to be established in Grand Kru County.
