By: Frank P Martin
MONROVIA: Liberia has assumed the Chairmanship of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).
The milestone achievement was announced during the 15th Session of the Conference of Ministers, held in Monrovia under the theme: “Promoting Decent Work and Strengthening Marine Ecosystem Resilience for the Sustainability of the Fisheries Sector.”
Liberia’s ascendancy to the leadership of the FCWC shows its emerging role as a regional force in sustainable fisheries governance.
The responsibility aligns with Liberia’s vision to address complex issues such as illegal fishing, declining fish stocks, and the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.
Madam Emman Metiah Glassco, Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), revealed Liberia’s readiness to lead, vowing to strengthen regional collaboration and address the pressing challenges facing the sector.
She spoke recently at the Fisheries conference in Monrovia, when she remarked: “Today is a great honor for Liberia. As we host this event and assume leadership of the FCWC, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting regional unity, harmonizing policies, and improving fisheries governance to secure livelihoods and food security for millions across the Gulf of Guinea.”
Liberia takes over from Ghana, whose leadership introduced transformative initiatives, including regional sea patrols and seasonal closures to manage fish stocks.
Building on these successes, Liberia aims to set a bold agenda, focusing on expanding FCWC membership, negotiating Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) with global partners, and mobilizing donor support for the benefit of all member states.
The FCWC, established in 2007, facilitates cooperation among six West African nations: Liberia, Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo.
Its mission is to promote sustainable fisheries management through policy alignment, capacity building, and resources.
Madam Glassco praised Ghana’s achievements and laid out Liberia’s ambitious plans for the next phase.
Central to Liberia’s vision is the harmonization of licensing regimes, the adoption of regional frameworks, and the protection of critical habitats to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
“Declining fish stocks and illegal fishing practices threaten the economic stability of coastal communities. Regional solutions like seasonal closures and size limits are essential for reversing these alarming trends and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our fisheries sector,” she said.
A key outcome of the conference is the anticipated adoption of the Monrovia Declaration, a regional resolution aimed at instituting closed fishing seasons to allow fish stocks to recover.
The resolution signaled a collective commitment to climate resilience and sustainable fisheries management across the Gulf of Guinea.
Liberia also showcased its progress in building human capacity for fisheries management.
The establishment of a Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Science in Liberia, set to graduate its first students in 2026, was highlighted as a critical step toward developing local expertise.
Partnerships with the Liberia Maritime Training Institute and Ghana’s Regional Maritime University will further strengthen technical skills among regional seafarers.
The NaFAA boss emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing challenges such as climate change and marine resource depletion.
She urged FCWC member states to meet their financial obligations, ensuring the sustainability of the committee’s activities.
“Our shared commitment to sustainable fisheries governance will define our success. Together, we can transform the Gulf of Guinea into a region that thrives both ecologically and economically,” she said.
Liberia also reaffirmed its alignment with international protocols, including the International Maritime Organization’s Cape Town Convention on fishing vessel safety, which the country has ratified.
The Liberian government’s leadership of the FCWC aligns with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes agriculture and fisheries as critical pillars of national food security.
The framework underscored the government’s dedication to creating a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous economy.
The Monrovia conference concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among FCWC member states, united in their quest to safeguard the region’s marine resources for generations to come.
Meanwhile, the Fisheries Directors and Technicians from Member Countries of the Fisheries Committee for West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) along with several Partners and Donors gathered in the Liberian Capital Monrovia Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at a local hotel to mark the official start of 15th Ministerial Fisheries Conference.
The three-day FCWC conference runs from 11-13 December 2024 with two days of technical discussions, leading to the Ministerial meeting on the third day Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town outside Monrovia.
