President Joseph Nyumah Boakai recently called for urgent collective action to address unregulated and harmful fishing practices in Liberia.
According to the Liberian leader, the initiative aims to sustain Liberia’s economic growth and fishing industry, which is crucial for ensuring food security and serves as a pillar of development.
“Fishing is a culture and an economic activity across our nations; it helps ensure food security, provides jobs, and contributes to our economic growth,” President Boakai stated.
While addressing the 15th Ministerial Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) Conference, President Boakai rallied fishing stakeholders to foster collaboration and cooperation in sustaining fisheries management.
He urged them to take decisive action to end harmful fishing practices, which threaten the productive development of the ocean.
“We face numerous challenges that jeopardize our future, such as climate change, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices—all of which pose significant risks to the productivity and health of our oceans,” President Boakai emphasized.
The Liberian leader highlighted that illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, along with marine pollution, are serious threats to ocean health. He noted that overfishing could lead to the collapse or decline of the fishing industry, which is vital for economic growth.
Mr. Boakai also addressed the pressing dangers of climate change, which affect the region’s marine ecosystems, including rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and unpredictable weather patterns.
He called upon fishing stakeholders to collaboratively enhance their fishing capacity through assistance and to build resilience in order to improve the health of the marine ecosystem, thereby enhancing the livelihoods of the people. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable fisheries management.
“Today, as we adopt the Monrovia Declaration, we reaffirm our commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable fisheries management,” President Boakai stated.
He reiterated that this declaration will serve as a guide as stakeholders work together to protect the ocean’s future, which many communities rely on for economic stability.
For his part, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister for Marine and Blue Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, commended the FCWC for their dedication to regional cooperation and sustainability, aligning with a collective vision to drive economic growth.
Mr. Oyetola also praised stakeholders for their efforts in advancing fisheries across the Gulf of Guinea.
Meanwhile, Liberia took over the leadership of the FCWC on Friday, with Emma Metieh Glasco, the head of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), appointed as the new leader.
