The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) with funding from the European Union (EU) on Thursday launched a mobile-based application that allows for easy tracking of illegal activities in the Liberian waters.
The app according EJF will aid fishermen in the fight against illegal fishing activities.
The “DASE” mobile monitoring application would allow Liberian fishers to report illegal activities at sea with geotagged photos and optional videos as evidence to appropriate authorities to help clamp down on the activities of perpetrators.
The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, at the ceremony reaffirmed her entity commitment in regulating illegal fishing activities on the Liberian sea and cautions trawlers involved into Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing activities in the territorial waters of Liberia to desist or risk punishment.
She said the launch of the DASE application would complement the Government of Liberia efforts through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) in identifying trawlers and vessels that are engaged in illegal fishing activities.
Madam Glassco, said with the App, NaFAA won’t hesitate to institute punishment consistent with the Fisheries laws of Liberia for violations, while adding that she’s not prepared to compromise the interest of artisanal and semi-industrial fisher folks to the advantage of industrial vessels.
“The government will ensure that the six-nautical miles is still reserved for our fishermen. It is your right to ensure that this zone is protected”.
“We will not compromise. I can assure you. And I don’t want you to compromise either. There are times you will catch them and they would want to bribe you. Stand up for your rights”. We’re not visible on the Ocean. You’re always there”.
The Programme Manager at EJF, Mr. cephas Asare , said the DASE application would allow fishers to report with evidence on fishing activities that are not in line with the laws of Liberia to the appropriate authorities for action.
“The DASE App would also help our fishers to report all illegal activities they see and also help them gather evidence for compensation claims in situations where there are damages to their gear at sea.
“The application is a user-friendly one that allows our fishers to have easy access and take photos and optional videos in simple steps”, he said.
Illegal fishing is considered one of the major threats not just to the food security of the people in Liberia, but it threatens the very existence of the fishing communities.
Over the past years, the Liberian government has stepped up efforts to curtail illegal fishing, yet financial constraints have been a major impediment to monitoring and enforcement of laws, as a result, some trawlers have been evading the system.
“With the smart phone application, small-scale fishers can become part of the solution,” the release said.
Eighty percent (80 %) of Liberians rely primarily on seafood for protein, and fishing communities rely solely on fishing for their livelihoods. Illegal fishing is considered one of the major threats not just to food security of the people in Liberia. It also threatens the very existence of fishing communities.
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