MONROVIA – The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has intensified efforts to improve transparency and accountability in Liberia’s fisheries sector by convening journalists and civil society organizations (CSOs) for a one-day workshop aimed at strengthening advocacy and promoting fisheries reforms.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh, websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com
Liberia’s fisheries sector remains a vital contributor to the national economy, food security, rural livelihoods, and the country’s blue economy. However, the sector continues to face challenges from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which experts say is steadily depleting the nation’s marine resources.
In response, EJF, in collaboration with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), is working to strengthen fisheries governance and support the implementation of the principles outlined in the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency.
The June 16, 2026 workshop, held at A’La Lagune Guest House in Monrovia, brought together representatives of civil society organizations focused on accountability, transparency, human rights, and anti-corruption efforts, as well as journalists from FrontPage Africa, the Daily Observer, OK FM, and Liberia National Television (LNTV).
According to EJF, the gathering sought to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, facilitate networking among key CSOs, and build support for the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 188, also known as the Work in Fishing Convention.
The convention establishes binding international standards aimed at ensuring decent working conditions for commercial fishers, including occupational safety, access to medical care, and fair living arrangements at sea.
Speaking to journalists following the workshop, EJF Program Officer Augustine Fayiah said the initiative was intended to create stronger partnerships between civil society organizations and the media while encouraging broader engagement in fisheries governance.
“Those civil societies working on transparency in the mining sector, in the agriculture and forestry sector and fighting corruption in the difference, difference sectors, we believe that the energy they have working toward the improvement of those sectors, they can also channel some of those energies in the fishery sector, there are lots of opportunities that exist there that they can look to work with national government and other organizations to help to improve the fishery sector in Liberia,” Fayiah said.
Fayiah stressed the need for increased media coverage of fisheries-related issues across the country.
He said: “We want to see the media more involved in discussing fishery issues on their different platforms around the country. Let the media not only discuss forestry, mining, but let the media discuss the fishery sector. The good thing about the fishery sector, the bad thing about the fishery sector, let them discuss it.”
He also urged stakeholders to work collectively toward solutions rather than politicizing challenges facing the sector.
“Once we identify the issues let come together as on family to be able to address the issue. Let us not politicize it because we believe that through dialogue those the issues in the fishery sector can be addressed and NAAFA has committed to address these issues,” he said.
EJF said the workshop forms part of the inception activities of its Ocean5-funded project, “Creating Greater Fisheries Transparency in Liberia.” The initiative seeks to support Liberia’s fight against illegal fishing, promote fisheries law reform, encourage the ratification of ILO Convention 188, and advance implementation of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency.
The Environmental Justice Foundation is an international non-governmental organization headquartered in London that works to protect the environment and defend human rights. The organization investigates environmental abuses, supports environmental defenders and Indigenous communities, and works with independent journalists to expose environmental injustices worldwide.
Fayiah noted that ratifying ILO Convention 188 would significantly improve labor protections and working conditions for crew members in Liberia’s fisheries sector.
“NAAFA has taken some steps, and we must commend them. With the endorsement of the global chapter for fishery transparency by the government of Liberia and also joining FETI, and lots of international agreement, we believe that NAAFA is making important steps. There are lots of international agreements NAAFA is part of but yet then still there are still gaps in the fishery sector,” he said.
Among the remaining challenges, Fayiah highlighted concerns surrounding vessel ownership transparency and seafood traceability.
“Making public, the beneficiary ownership of these vessels that are fishing in territorial water of Liberia and also the sea food traceability issues, these are things the government needs to look at,” Fayiah said.
He disclosed that EJF has conducted several fisheries transparency gap analyses that are helping to shape ongoing legal reforms within the sector.
“All of these gaps have informed the reform of the fishing laws and then we are happy that NAAFA is rally putting every efforts toward the reform of their laws, that is why we want to bring the civil society on broad so we all can work together so we can work together of achieve that goal,” Mr. Fayiah said.
