By Jessica Cox
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NAFAA) has launched a media engagement initiative aimed at improving public understanding of Liberia’s fisheries sector while reaffirming its commitment to developing the country’s blue economy through sustainable management of marine resources.
Speaking during NAFAA’s Open House and Media Engagement held on July 8, 2026, at the Authority’s headquarters in Monrovia, Deputy Director General for Administration Madia H. Peters Magbollah said the institution is working to position Liberia as an attractive destination for investment in fisheries and aquaculture.
She said the initiative seeks to strengthen collaboration with the media to improve public access to information on the sector, increase transparency in NAFAA’s operations, and promote awareness of opportunities within Liberia’s fisheries industry.
According to Magbollah, Liberia’s coastline of about 579 kilometers and its rich marine resources provide significant opportunities for economic diversification, employment, food production and export growth if managed sustainably.
She emphasized that effective fisheries governance, investment in value addition, and stronger public-private partnerships are central to achieving those objectives.
She said NAFAA is implementing reforms intended to improve management of fisheries resources, encourage responsible investment and ensure that the country’s marine resources continue to benefit present and future generations.
Liberia’s fisheries sector plays an important role in the national economy.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, fish provides a major source of animal protein for Liberians, while thousands of people particularly those in coastal communities depend directly or indirectly on fishing, fish processing and marketing for their livelihoods.
Despite its potential, the sector continues to face challenges including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, inadequate cold storage and processing facilities, limited access to finance for artisanal fishers, and weak infrastructure along the fisheries value chain.
These constraints have historically reduced the sector’s contribution to economic growth and government revenue.
The Government of Liberia has identified the blue economy as an important component of its broader economic transformation agenda.
The concept promotes the sustainable use of ocean and aquatic resources to generate economic growth while protecting marine ecosystems..
NAFAA’s emphasis on attracting domestic and foreign investment aligns with ongoing national efforts to expand fish processing, improve aquaculture production, strengthen monitoring and surveillance of Liberia’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and increase value addition before export.
The media engagement program is also expected to provide journalists with greater access to information on fisheries governance, conservation efforts and sector reforms, allowing for more informed public reporting on an industry that remains critical to food security, employment and environmental sustainability.
Officials said continued collaboration among government institutions, development partners, private investors, coastal communities and the media will be essential if Liberia is to fully realize the economic potential of its marine and inland fisheries resources while ensuring their long term sustainability.
