PHOTO: Director Zizi Kpadeh (Right) and his Deputy Harry Mallay At The LNP Headquarters
The national Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has stepped up its efforts to crack down on illegal fishing activities in Liberia.
NaFAA said in a press release on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 that the issue of dynamite fishing has come to the fore as three fishermen are currently imprisoned at the Monrovia central prison, popularly known as “south beach”, following their alleged involvement into illegal fisheries activities, specifically dynamite and chemical fishing.
The release quotes the 2010 fisheries regulation as saying, it is unlawful to use Dynamite, any form of explosives and chemical to fishing or chemical fishing in both inland water bodies and the ocean. Currently most fishermen along rivers and creeks are heavily involved into dynamite fishing which has resulted into the damage of the fish and its habitat and also houses and other infrastructural in the environment.
Speaking Tuesday February 5, 2020 at the Temple of justice in Monrovia, the Director of the Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Department at NAFAA disclosed that lots of violation are taking place along the rivers, lakes, lagoons and creeks in Liberia.
Director Zizi Kpadeh noted that NaFAA is not taking kindly the used of dynamite and other chemical substances inland water bodies, therefore legal measures are being instituted to mitigate the situations.
Mr. Kpadeh disclosed that three fishermen are currently been detained at the Monrovia central prison awaiting court trial as a result of their involvement in dynamite fishing practice that has been banned by the government through the fisheries authority.
Director Kpedeh who named the three dynamite fishermen who are in detention as Jusu Sonii, Pecious P. Kings and Albert P. Hills confirmed that NaFAA with the help of the security groups will apprehend all fishermen involved into illegal fishing activities including dynamite fishing along with other chemical fishing activities.
It can be recalled earlier January 2020, fisherman Wolobah Gibson resident of the Kpelle Town Community in Bernard Farm was arrested for his involvement into alleged dynamite fishing.
In late 2019, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority turned over to the Liberia National Police detachment in Harbel market, Margibi County three individuals who were allegedly involved into the illegal act of dynamite fishing.