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    NAAFA Unveils 1st Semi-Industrial Fiberglass Boat in Liberia

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    By: Christopher Bestman

    Monrovia, Liberia November 24, 2025:

    The Government of Liberia, in collaboration with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NAAFA) and with support from the World Bank, has proudly commissioned Liberia’s first semi-industrial fiberglass fishing vessel. This milestone marks a historic moment for the nation’s fisheries sector, complementing the existing fleet of 23 modern Fanti and Kru canoes.

    The inauguration ceremony was attended by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Minister Alexander Nutah, NAAFA’s Board of Directors, students from the University of Liberia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, fishmongers, fishermen, canoe operators, members of the Liberian Armed Forces, and other distinguished guests.

    In his speech, NAAFA Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr. described the launch of the fiberglass vessel as a "national awakening." He emphasized that both the Fanti and Kru canoes are now constructed using advanced fiberglass technology not from a sustainable trees, to preserve climate preservation. 

    Saygbeh expressed gratitude to the President for entrusting the sector with innovative leadership, highlighting the technological and structural reforms that are modernizing Liberia’s fisheries. He outlined plans for developing a comprehensive five-year strategic framework aimed at enhancing governance, competitiveness, and the sector’s overall modernization. This includes a national Fisheries and Aquaculture Investment Plan designed to attract sustainable capital and transition fish farming from subsistence to a commercially viable industry.

    Among recent transformational achievements, Saygbe listed the approval of Liberia’s first industrial fishing management plan, the implementation of a Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance system equipped with advanced ocean video monitoring, nationwide training of 500 fishers, the establishment of a Fisheries Data System, and a Fishmongers Registry. Additionally, he announced the creation of NAAFA’s Department of Fisheries and Climate Crisis and the streamlining of import permit processes from weeks to just an hour.

    He further shared that, within the next year, NAAFA aims to complete a fully operational Fishery Complex, and a $26 million investment port is nearing completion, projected to create approximately 2,500 new jobs. After seven years, NAAFA has also acquired a new 32-seater bus, symbolizing its renewed commitment to development.

    For his part, Vice President Koung lauded the commissioning of the Sea King vessel as a significant stride toward the government’s ARREST agenda for inclusive development.

     "This vessel represents a pathway to job creation, economic growth, and renewed hope for our coastal communities," he said.

    Reaffirming the government’s commitment, VP Koung announced a 25% reduction in artisanal fishing fees, effective January 2026, aligning with President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s directives. Fees for peddling canoes will decrease from $50 to $30 annually, while fees for vessels with one or two powerhouses will drop from $250 to $175, and those with 15 to 40 powerhouses will see a reduction from $450 to $350.

     "These reductions demonstrate the government’s responsiveness to our people’s needs," he stated.

    Koung urged the fishing sector to serve as a source of livelihood and inspiration for young Liberians, emphasizing that fishing is not merely a struggle for survival but a pathway to prosperity. He called on the Finance Minister to prioritize job creation, advocating for investment in over 50 fishing vessels with a $25 million fund to boost livelihoods. 

    "Let’s channel resources into catching high-value fish like tuna and lobsters to drive economic growth," he urged.

    World Bank Country Director Madame Georgia Wallen praised Liberia’s fisheries sector, stating that the Sea King vessel signifies a transformative step aligned with the government’s ARREST agenda. 

    "This vessel is a vital asset for Liberia’s semi-industrial fishery development," she noted, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing industrial and artisanal fisheries in coastal communities, which remain the backbone of Liberia’s economy.

    Wallen highlighted four key strategic priorities: sustained investment in infrastructure, fostering innovation and skills development, strengthening NAAFA’s institutional capacity, and ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement that brings together government, artisanal fishers, and coastal communities for transparent decision-making. She also stressed the importance of partnerships that link commercial operators with artisanal fisheries to enhance infrastructure and value chains.

    Madame Wallen expressed appreciation for NAAFA’s leadership and the energy infused into the sector, which promises a brighter future for Liberia’s fisheries industry.

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