-To Enhance Marine Resource Governance
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I.
In a landmark move aimed at strengthening transparency and governance in the fisheries sector, Liberia on May 21, 2025, officially joined the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), becoming the latest country to commit to open and accountable management of marine resources.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) and FiTI marks a pivotal step in Liberia’s efforts to improve the management of its fisheries sector. The agreement lays out a framework for cooperation that will guide the implementation of the internationally recognized FiTI Standard, which defines what key information national authorities must publicly disclose regarding marine fisheries.
NaFAA’s Acting Director General, Honourable J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr., hailed the initiative as a transformative moment for Liberia’s fisheries governance. “We are proud to affirm Liberia’s commitment to greater transparency and accountability in the fisheries sector through our engagement with the Fisheries Transparency Initiative. By joining FiTI, Liberia is taking a significant step toward ensuring that information about our fisheries governance—policies, laws, management practices, and access agreements—is accessible to all stakeholders,” Saygbe said.
He further emphasized that this move will build trust among stakeholders, encourage sustainable resource management, attract responsible investment, and empower coastal communities to play an active role in preserving the country’s marine ecosystems.
Liberia’s 579-kilometer coastline is home to some of the richest fishing grounds in the world, with abundant demersal and pelagic fishery resources that support food security, employment, and revenue generation. Despite this natural wealth, Liberia’s fish consumption remains among the lowest in West Africa—a gap attributed in part to governance and access challenges.
A 2023 policy brief by the University of Liberia in collaboration with Conservation International urged the government to prioritize transparency and public access to data in the fisheries sector to unlock its full potential.
FiTI Executive Director, Mr. Sven Biermann, praised Liberia’s leadership for embracing this critical reform. “We are delighted to see that under NaFAA’s new leadership, Liberia is committed to taking an active role in improving the governance of its fisheries sector. Transparency and participation are not only the bedrocks of good fisheries governance—they also deepen public understanding of the sector and the challenges it faces,” he stated. “We look forward to supporting Liberia’s stakeholders in making fisheries management more transparent and inclusive.”
By joining FiTI, Liberia joins a growing list of countries around the world committed to publishing credible and usable information on marine fisheries, promoting informed public dialogue, and advancing sustainable resource use.
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative, which continues to expand globally, serves as a platform for countries to ensure that their marine fisheries are governed in a way that is open, inclusive, and sustainable—principles that are critical for long-term environmental health and economic development.
As Liberia embarks on this new journey, it sets a strong example in the West African region of how transparent governance can lead to more sustainable, equitable, and resilient fisheries for future generations.
