MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia has secured a US$500,000 grant aimed at advancing transparency, governance, and legal reforms within the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
The funding, provided through Oceans5, will support the review and modernization of Liberia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Development Law of 2019. The initiative is designed to strengthen accountability systems, improve regulatory enforcement, and enhance sustainable management of marine resources.
The project, titled “Creating Greater Fisheries Transparency in Liberia,” will be implemented by the Environmental Justice Foundation in partnership with the Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA).
It seeks to improve transparency and governance within the fisheries sector while supporting efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which continues to pose significant challenges to marine conservation and economic development in coastal states.
The initiative builds on commitments made during the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in 2025 and further reinforced at the 11th Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa in 2026, where Liberia continued to advocate for stronger global ocean governance frameworks.
A key component of the project will be the integration of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency principles into national legislation. Liberia endorsed the charter during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, signaling its commitment to improved oversight and accountability in the sector.
The legal review process is also expected to support Liberia’s efforts to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention (C188), which sets international standards for labor conditions and protections for workers in the fishing industry.
Officials say the grant represents a major milestone in Liberia’s ongoing fisheries reform agenda and reflects growing international confidence in the country’s commitment to sustainable ocean governance and responsible resource management.
The reforms are also expected to strengthen Liberia’s engagement with the European Union’s fisheries governance framework and support national efforts to address concerns linked to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing. This includes progress toward the possible lifting of the EU “Yellow Card,” which has served as a compliance warning in recent years.
Speaking at the conclusion of the agreement, the Director General of NaFAA, , described the initiative as a significant step toward building a more transparent, accountable, and sustainable fisheries sector.
According to him, the project will not only improve legal and institutional frameworks but also help ensure that marine resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of coastal communities and future generations.
The Government of Liberia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ocean governance, improving fisheries management, and promoting long-term economic benefits through sustainable use of marine resources.
The initiative is expected to play a key role in advancing Liberia’s broader blue economy agenda while reinforcing international partnerships in environmental protection and sustainable development.
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