An international fishery NGO, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has handed over to the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) a recently compiled policy and strategy to guide the fisheries industry in the management of the Collaborative Management Association (CMA).
Collaborative management or co-management, is a partnership arrangement in which the community of local resource users (fishers), government, other stakeholders (boat owners, fish traders, boat builders, business people, etc.) and external agents (non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutions) share the responsibility and authority for the management of fisheries.
With funding support from the European Union (EU), the EJF through its Communities for Fisheries” Project establishing cooperatives in Liberia’s nine coastal counties, observes there is no framework to guide the operations of the CMAs. This gave rise to the formulation of CMA policy and strategy by the EJF.
Speaking during the presentation Wednesday March 22, 2023 at the NaFAA, EJF West Africa Regional Manager Cephas Asare acknowledged the role played by the Liberian fisheries authority in the formulation of the document, while promising to collaborate in efforts that would promote sustainable fisheries.
Receiving the document, NaFAA’s Acting Director General, Augustine M. Manoballah lauded the NGO for the document, saying developing such framework was very key to the running of CMAs across the country.
In a related development, the EJF has turned on solar lights at the head office of the Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association (LAFA) in Banjor, Brewerville. With support from the EU funded ‘Communities for Fisheries Project”, the EJF installed the solar panel to ease the electricity constraints at the office.
The NGO also presented to LAFAA some office supplies including desktop computer, power surge protector, flipchart paper, and stapler.
The EJF put the total cost of the items at US$19, 245 (nineteen thousand two hundred forty-five United States).
The President of the Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association Jerry Blamo received the items and commended EJF for donation to his organization.