Liberia applauds EU fisheries project for transforming coastal communities

LIBERIA – Liberia’s government has commended the European Union-funded “Communities for Fisheries” project for its far-reaching impact on fisheries governance and coastal development, describing it as a model for future interventions in the sector.

Speaking at the project’s official closeout ceremony in Monrovia on July 7, 2025, the Acting Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr., praised the initiative’s results as both “transformative and enduring.” 

The project, implemented by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), began in December 2020 under the EU-Liberia Agriculture Programme.

“The European Union has twice extended its support to this project because of its remarkable success,” Mr. Saygbe said. 

He highlighted the establishment and activation of Collaborative Management Associations (CMAs) in Grand Kru, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, and Margibi Counties as a “game-changer for local accountability and participatory fisheries governance.”

The project has facilitated the decentralisation of fisheries management in Liberia through the establishment of five CMA offices, with a sixth nearing completion. 

According to Mr. Saygbe, these localised structures have “significantly advanced NaFAA’s decentralisation agenda,” reinforcing Liberia’s strategy of inclusive governance in its coastal areas.

Boosting livelihoods and gender inclusion

Beyond governance reforms, the initiative has delivered substantial socioeconomic benefits. Over 1,000 women from 30 coastal communities have been empowered through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), improving their access to micro-credit and boosting their participation in local economies. 

Mr. Saygbe called this “a meaningful contribution to gender inclusion and coastal resilience.”

Speaking at the ceremony, European Union Head of Delegation to Liberia, Mr. Jeroen Withamp, praised the project’s execution, saying the EU was “proud of the integrity and efficiency demonstrated by EJF” throughout its duration.

A New Chapter in Global Fisheries Engagement

During the ceremony, Mr. Saygbe also announced that Liberia will host World Fisheries Day 2025 on November 21. 

“It will bring international attention to the country’s growing role in global fisheries diplomacy and marine sustainability,” he noted.

He further pointed to recent achievements such as Liberia’s full accession to the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), endorsement of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, and ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, cementing Liberia’s standing in international marine conservation.

Mr. Saygbe concluded that the project is a benchmark model for future fisheries development and has not only strengthened the country’s institutional framework but also empowered coastal communities and made Liberia a credible voice in international marine governance.

The ceremony, attended by stakeholders from across the country, marked the conclusion of a project now widely seen as a turning point in Liberia’s journey toward sustainable, community-driven fisheries management.

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