By: Gegee Brima
Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s fisheries sector is set for a major administrative shift as the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) prepares to establish its first regional office in Harper, Maryland County, in an effort to expand access to fisheries services beyond Monrovia.
The new office, scheduled for official dedication on November 20, represents the first phase of NaFAA’s nationwide decentralization program, which seeks to bring regulatory support, technical expertise and administrative services closer to fishing communities in the counties.
NaFAA Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr. disclosed the development Thursday during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, explaining that the initiative is designed to eliminate the difficulties rural fishing communities encounter when seeking assistance from the authority in Monrovia.
According to Saygbe, NaFAA’s assessment of fishing communities, including a field visit conducted in September, exposed significant gaps in the authority’s presence and service delivery outside the capital. The findings prompted plans for four regional operational centers, with Harper, Buchanan, Robertsport and Ganta selected as strategic locations.
He noted that the decentralization proposal received approval from NaFAA’s Board of Directors in 2025.
The Harper facility will initially operate with 15 employees reassigned from Monrovia, with financial support from the World Bank. An additional 25 personnel have been identified for deployment beginning January 4, 2027, as the authority moves toward expanding its regional operations.
The proposed offices will accommodate fisheries observers, inspectors and professionals responsible for administration, scientific research and monitoring. NaFAA also intends to establish working relationships with community colleges within the regions to strengthen technical cooperation and fisheries education.
Saygbe indicated that the authority would prioritize transferring experienced personnel from its central office while limiting new recruitment in order to keep operational expenses manageable.
The broader decentralization exercise is expected to continue in phases, with Buchanan scheduled for 2027, Robertsport in 2028 and Ganta in 2029.
The Harper office’s inauguration will coincide with Liberia’s World Fisheries Day observance, which will run from November 18 to 21. The country began hosting the annual celebration last year in Grand Bassa County.
As part of the activities, NaFAA will partner with fishing communities in Harper for a beach-cleaning campaign on November 18. The following day, Tubman University will host a career-oriented engagement, alongside medical screenings for workers involved in traditional fish-drying activities.
Saygbe particularly highlighted the health challenges faced by women working around wood-fired fish-drying facilities, noting that the screenings will provide support for those experiencing eye-related difficulties associated with their working environment.
The official opening of the Harper regional office is scheduled for November 20, with the World Bank Country Manager expected to participate. The national World Fisheries Day celebration will follow on November 21, featuring UNDP Resident Representative Ali Mamadi as keynote speaker.
Other planned activities include a bonfire gathering with fishing communities, sporting competitions and a canoe race. Saygbe disclosed that NaFAA is considering introducing beach soccer specifically for fishing communities during next year’s celebration.
He also revealed ongoing discussions with the Liberia Tourism Authority about developing a national canoe-racing competition as part of efforts to promote tourism and community participation.
Describing fishermen and women as the backbone of local fish supply, the NaFAA Director General characterized them as “unsung heroes,” stressing that the annual celebration provides an opportunity to recognize their contribution to the country’s economy and food security.
Strategic Investments Target Fisheries Transformation
Beyond decentralization, Saygbe outlined several development initiatives under NaFAA’s 10-year strategic plan, which he said was recently presented to the President.
The comprehensive framework prioritizes fisheries governance, research and statistics, aquaculture development, inland fisheries and other critical areas requiring investment.
An accompanying investment plan has identified approximately US$155 million to address infrastructure deficiencies, strengthen the sector and attract greater private-sector participation.
Among the projects highlighted is a proposed fish sales and distribution center, for which NaFAA has secured US$325,000 from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The facility, described by Saygbe as Liberia’s first fish sales hub, is expected to be constructed in the area between Patos Island and the ministerial complex in Congo Town. It will feature a storage capacity of 20 tonnes and utilize solar energy for its operations.
The center is intended to provide fish traders with reliable storage facilities, alongside organized sales and delivery services. Plans also include a small grill facility.
NaFAA intends to engage a private company to manage the center’s daily operations while maintaining regulatory oversight to ensure that fish quality and safety standards are upheld.
Additional initiatives include plans for a fish-processing factory in Grand Bassa County, completion of a hatchery in Bomi County, development of a large-scale fish farm in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, and the establishment of a fisheries laboratory in Monrovia.
Saygbe further disclosed that NaFAA is pursuing efforts to secure Liberia’s first industrial fishing fleet, a move he believes would strengthen national capacity to monitor and manage fishing activities within the country’s territorial waters.
The planned investments, combined with the establishment of regional offices, are expected to strengthen institutional capacity, improve services to fishing communities and create a more organized and productive fisheries sector across Liberia.
