Liberia: “Liberia Committed to CECAF Initiative”
Emma Glassco, FAO Liberia Representative and CECAF Member States at the 23rd Session of the Committee at Farmington Hotel in Harbel, Liberia
…..As CECAF Member State, we believe that with these regular gatherings of experts and a scientist to discuss scientific interventions in managing our shared stocks provide multiple opportunities to achieve progress from all relevant angles, which attests to CECAF’s comprehensive, inclusive and diversified approach to its operations
Emma Glassco, Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority NaFAA has said that Liberia will remain committed to cooperating with her international partners in supporting the Committee for The Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) initiative.
Speaking on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the 23rd Committee of the Eastern Central Atlantic CECAF meeting held at the Farmington Hotel in Harbel, Glassco said Liberia will comply with CECAF applicable policies and regulations as well as the best practices in order to sustainably manage its shared fish stocks.
The meeting was held under the Theme: “Toward Practical Solutions to Strengthen Fisheries Management and Sustainability in CECAF Region”.
CECAF promotes the sustainable utilization of the living marine resources within its area of competence by the proper management and development of the fisheries and fishing operations.
“As a CECAF Member State,” she said, “we believe that with these regular gatherings of experts and a scientist to discuss scientific interventions in managing our shared stocks provides multiple opportunities to achieve progress from all relevant angles, which attests to CECAF’s comprehensive, inclusive and diversified approach to its operations.”
She added that the 23rd regular session of the CECAF committee is an important forum in which its member nations, associate members, and the CECAF Secretariat, as well as other distinguished stakeholders, can exchange ideas and experiences on what has worked in the past and how to further achieve progress in their various regions in the future.
Glasco told the member countries and relevant stakeholders to keep in mind that their singular objective is to find practical solutions to strengthen fisheries management and the sustainability of shared stocks in the region.
“I would like to congratulate all member countries and relevant stakeholders as you actively work to execute the agenda of CECAF, especially during this 23rd Session, keeping in mind that your singular objective is finding practical solutions to strengthen fisheries management and the sustainability of shared stocks in the region,” she said
In addition, Glassco stated that the Liberia fisheries sector has contributed approximately 12 percent of the agriculture Gross Domestic Product GDP and has provided direct employment to at least 33,000 full time fishers, fishmongers and processors living along the coast of Liberia.
She continued by saying that marine fishery capture is the major revenue generation source of the sector, producing about 40,000 tons per year.
She also revealed that the fisheries sector is important in Liberia’s microeconomic development as it strengthens food security by providing about 65 percent of the national animal protein needs; serves as a major source of employment and livelihood diversification; and provides the opportunity to generate foreign exchange and revenue.
The Director General mentioned that the activities and operations embody CECAF’s fundamental mandate of promoting the sustainable utilization of living marine resources through a science-based approach to fisheries management frameworks and fishing operations across CECAF’s region.
According to her, the body has continued to promote, encourage and coordinate research on living marine resources and develop programs to guide fisheries management and fisheries-related research;
“It has continued to establish the scientific basis for regulatory measures leading to the conservation and management of marine fishery resources and to deliberate measures through CECAF’s subsidiary bodies; and it has continued to provide advice for the adoption of regulatory measures by Member Governments, sub-regional or regional organizations, as appropriate, which are embedded in its core function,” she added.
Meanwhile, Glasco noted that Liberia is pleased that FAO-CECAF has continued to demonstrate strong leadership and commitment in terms of sustainable fisheries resource management among its Member Nations through its functions and operations.
She further disclosed that according to an assessment conducted on the impact of COVID-19 on the Fisheries sector by the FAO, it was established that COVID impacted the RFMO and other fisheries governing bodies from to meet regularly to ensure the protection of share stocks and enforce compliance with global or regional fisheries regulations.
She also added that, the 23rd Session, which was held under the theme, “Toward practical solutions to strengthen fisheries management and sustainability in CECAF region”, marks a historic year for CECAF, especially at a time of global recovery from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on all fabrics of society, including the fisheries sector, which holds high significance for global food security and coastal livelihood.
“We want to express our profound thanks and appreciation to the FAO Director General and the CECAF Secretariat for the singular honor of selecting Liberia as the host of the Twenty-Third Session of the CECAF Committee Meeting,” she added.
FAO Liberia Representative, Bintia Stephen Tchicaya, said since the creation of CECAF in 1967, it has played a leading role in giving the fisheries sector the prominence it deserves.
According to her, the contributions that CECAF scientists and experts provide are unique as a regional and neutral knowledge platform for its member nations to strengthen collaborations and share insights in the sector.
She added that fisheries and their management transcend national boundaries, and the need to harness collective intelligence and advance their understanding of fisheries is crucial for the sustainable and equitable management of the resources.
She further said that there is no need to underline the global challenge of strengthening fisheries resource management because the global situation of biologically unsustainable fish stocks continues to grow.
Tchicaya continued by saying the downward trend in the resource situation poses a serious threat to the sustainable contribution of the natural resource to the economic and social well-being of millions of people who benefit directly or indirectly from the exploitation of fishery resources.
The FAO Liberia representative mentioned that the objectives of the conservation and sustainable management of fisheries cannot be achieved without a good understanding of the dynamics of populations and ecosystems.
Meanwhile, Tchicaya said FAO will continue to strongly support the ambitions and objectives of CECAF, which for her institution is a framework for cooperation and integration between its member states, to ensure the sustainable management and rational use of natural resources.