By Rockson Doe
Monrovia — The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has intensified collaboration with development partners as it seeks to strengthen Liberia’s fisheries sector and advance the country’s blue economy agenda.
NaFAA hosted its Third Quarter Fisheries Development Partners Coordination Group Meeting, bringing together representatives of key development partners, including the World Bank Group, European Union Delegation in Liberia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United States Embassy, Embassy of Egypt and other stakeholders.
The meeting provided an opportunity for NaFAA and its partners to review progress on key initiatives and discuss strategies for mobilizing additional support for the sustainable development of Liberia’s fisheries industry.
Among the issues reviewed were the implementation of NaFAA’s 10-Year Strategic Plan, Fisheries Investment Plan and Public-Private Partnership Strategy, as well as the rehabilitation of the Klay Hatchery and construction of the Fisheries Complex.
The meeting also examined preparations for the 2026 World Fisheries Day, the establishment of a fisheries Call Center and the newly created Department of Quality Assurance.
UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia expressed optimism about the future of Liberia’s fisheries sector and commended NaFAA for strengthening professional engagement and collaboration with development partners.
The European Union, meanwhile, called for stronger coordination among stakeholders, increased resource mobilization and greater support to accelerate transformation within the sector.
A key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to advance the decentralization of NaFAA services across Liberia’s nine coastal counties.
The initiative is intended to bring fisheries services closer to fishing communities, improve responsiveness and strengthen the delivery of technical and regulatory services to coastal populations.
The decentralization effort is also expected to improve engagement between NaFAA and fishing communities while creating a stronger platform for addressing challenges affecting the sector at the local level.
Established in April 2025, the Fisheries Development Partners Coordination Group has continued to serve as a platform for coordination, transparency and collaboration among NaFAA and its development partners.
Through the group, stakeholders are working to align investments, strengthen partnerships and support initiatives aimed at making Liberia’s fisheries sector more productive, resilient, inclusive and sustainable.
The latest meeting underscores NaFAA’s growing focus on partnership-driven development as Liberia seeks to maximize the economic, social and environmental potential of its fisheries resources and broader blue economy.
