PHOTO: Participants pose for a group picture at the end of the conference
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has concluded the 23rd conference of the Fishery Committee For The Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) in Harbel, Margibi County
Speaking at the program marking the end of the conference, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Development Program, Christine Umotoni expressed the hope that the participants’ to take the discussions and considered strong policies and best practices that will encourage the ecological usage of the region’s live aquatic wealth via a science-based approach.
Miss Umotoni encouraged conference participants to remain robust in continuing such good work, knowing that fisheries contributes to food security for billions of people world-wide and plays a crucial role in enhancing the livelihoods of coastal communities in many countries.
“This is because,” she went on, “if you find practical solutions to the fisheries management challenges, which if not addressed appropriately will undermine the economic development of countries.”
Miss Umotoni added that CECAF member states should therefore implement the recommendations in order to deal with the many problems that are geared toward destroying marine lives; thereby saving the sector.
The UNDP Resident Coordinator encouraged FAO and partners are engaged alongside the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NAFAA), the Liberia Maritime Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other sectors to build capacity on implementing the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) with focus on combating illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and capacitating women in small scale fisheries (SSF) with solar-powered storage, fish handling and processing capacities.
For her part, Resident Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization, Binta Stephen-Tchicaya, assured the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority of its fullest cooperation in capacitating their staffs in the implementation of the decision reached at the end of the conference
She expressed the hope that the various participants will take back by implementing the recommendations, observations and scientific reports of the sub committees in order improve the fishing sector as an integral part of their respective economies.
“For us, it is pleasure to host you,” she said; adding: “because we do not see many times in such conferences and thanked the Liberian government for creating the environment for the hosting of the international conference.”
In remarks, the newly elected Chairman of the Fishery Committee For The Eastern Central Atlantic, Austin Wehye, who is also the Director of Research and Statistic at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, said the 23rd session marked a new beginning for CECAF after the devastating impact of COVID 19.
“As Liberia takes over the chairmanship of this noble organization at the crucial moment, most of the stocks are overly exploited and poorly exploited.”
Mr. Wehye urged the various delegates from the various countries to make sure a singular duty to advise various managements to take into consideration CECAF advice.
The conference, held under the theme: “Toward Practical Solutions to Strengthen Fisheries Management and Sustainability in CECAF Region,” is aimed promoting a sustainable utilization of living marine resources through a science-based approach to fisheries management.
The conference, which brought together representatives from countries on the African Continent with coastal communities and the UN FAO, lasted for four days.