MONROVIA – The Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association (LAFA) has condemned the arrest and prosecution of Eight artisanal fishermen by officers of the National Port Authority (NPA) Police, describing the action as unjust and calling for immediate reforms to protect fishermen seeking refuge during emergencies at sea.
According to LAFA, the Eight fishermen were forced to enter the Port of Monrovia after strong winds, rough waves, and heavy rainfall created life-threatening conditions while they were carrying out their normal fishing activities during Liberia’s rainy season.
The association said that instead of receiving assistance after reaching safety, the fishermen were arrested by NPA Police and later prosecuted for allegedly landing within the port without authorization.
In a statement issued from its Monrovia headquarters, LAFA argued that the fishermen entered the port out of necessity and not with any criminal intent.
“During Liberia’s rainy season, rough sea conditions are common and often unpredictable.
Every year, artisanal fishermen are exposed to dangerous weather that may force them to seek the nearest safe harbor to avoid drowning or the destruction of their fishing equipment.
Such emergency landings should never be treated as criminal offenses,” the association stated.
LAFA said the incident raises serious concerns about the treatment of artisanal fishermen who contribute significantly to Liberia’s food security and national economy.
“Our fishermen are proud citizens of the Republic of Liberia.
They are law-abiding people who pay taxes, contribute significantly to the national economy, provide food for thousands of Liberian families, and participate fully in the country’s democratic processes,” the statement noted.
“They deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect by every public institution.
At moments of danger, they should receive protection and assistance—not arrest and prosecution.”
The association called on the National Port Authority to review the matter and exercise compassion toward fishermen who enter the port during emergencies beyond their control.
It stressed that the preservation of human life should always take precedence over administrative enforcement.
LAFA also urged the Government of Liberia, the National Port Authority, and other maritime authorities to establish clear emergency response protocols that would permit artisanal fishermen to safely access designated areas of the Port of Monrovia during severe weather without fear of arrest or prosecution.
The organization pledged to stand by the affected fishermen and pursue all lawful means to ensure justice is served.
“We stand in full solidarity with the Eight affected fishermen and their families and remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue to ensure that justice is served,” LAFA said.
The association further appealed to the Government of Liberia, development partners, civil society organizations, the media, and stakeholders in the fisheries sector to support efforts aimed at protecting the rights, safety, and livelihoods of Liberia’s artisanal fishing communities.
As of press time, the National Port Authority had not issued a public response to LAFA’s allegations.
The incident comes amid increasing calls from stakeholders in Liberia’s fisheries sector for stronger safety measures and clearer emergency procedures to protect artisanal fishermen who face dangerous conditions on the Atlantic Ocean, particularly during the peak rainy season.
