By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA – In a major push to protect Liberia’s marine resources and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of citizens, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) says its collaboration with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) is focusing on more awareness to help protect Liberia’s extinct marine species.
The initiative was highlighted during a special Ocean Screening Program held at the Monrovia City Hall, organized by the Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association (LAFA) in partnership with NaFAA with support from Blue Ventures.
Tech-Driven Defense Against Illegal Vessels
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Mr. Augustine Fayiah, Program Officer for the EJF in Liberia, revealed a grassroots technological approach to monitoring Liberia’s waters. The EJF has been working directly with local fishing communities to install a specialized mobile app designed to report illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
“We went to fishing communities and installed the app on their phones,” Fayiah explained. “When they go fishing, they can capture and report any illegal activity they see at sea—especially industrial fishing vessels that intrude into Liberia’s six-nautical-mile limit.”
Once a report is captured via the app, the data is processed and sent directly to NaFAA for enforcement and legal action.
Protecting the Livelihoods of 75,000
The primary goal of this digital surveillance is to safeguard the “exclusive zone” reserved for local artisanal fishermen. While official records count roughly 33,000 people within the fishing ecosystem, Fayiah noted that the unofficial figure exceeds 75,000.
“Look at that figure,” Fayiah urged. “We need to protect and secure their fishing grounds because these people depend on this for their livelihood. They send their children to school and pay hospital bills from the fish they catch. Currently, there is a challenge where a decline in their catch is threatening their survival.”
Empowering Women and Protecting Wildlife
The EJF’s mission extends beyond the water. The organization is also providing financial empowerment to women in the fishing sector through the Village Saving Loans Association (VSLA), ensuring that the entire community—not just those on the boats—benefits from a sustainable blue economy.
Additionally, Fayiah highlighted the EJF’s conservation efforts in Grand Kru County, specifically regarding sea turtle protection.
He referenced data collection for tracking the number of turtles killed and eggs harvested; awareness in educating fishermen on why sea turtles are vital for a healthy and sustainable fishery and moving away from harvesting endangered species to ensure long-term ocean health as a sustainable management of the blue economy.
The Way Forward
As industrial intrusion continues to threaten local resources, the EJF and NaFAA remain committed to a “people and planet” approach. By combining modern technology with community-led conservation, Liberia is taking significant steps toward reclaiming its territorial waters for its own people.
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