Africa-Press – Liberia. A new report from the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) details how a community-based approach is empowering Liberia’s coastal communities to effectively manage and protect their fisheries. The report, drawing on the EU-Funded Communities for Fisheries project, highlights the success of Collaborative Management Associations (CMAs) in improving fisheries governance.
The project, which ran from December 2019 to July 2025 and was implemented by EJF in partnership with the Liberia National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), focused on strengthening local control over marine resources. Liberia’s small-scale fisheries are a critical sector, providing food security and livelihoods for more than 75,000 people. However, they face significant threats from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overexploitation, and climate change.
The Communities for Fisheries project expanded Liberia’s co-management model by establishing seven new CMAs in Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Grand Kru counties, bringing the national total to nine. These CMAs are democratic, community-led institutions where fishers and other stakeholders collaborate with NaFAA to monitor and manage their resources.
The project also secured a robust policy framework for the future, including Liberia’s first National CMA Policy and Strategy and a Memorandum of Understanding between NaFAA and all CMAs. This framework solidifies co-management within national fisheries governance, ensuring that communities remain central to ocean protection efforts.
The report demonstrates that with strong institutional support and clear policies, local communities can successfully lead the effort to build sustainable fisheries. Steve Trent, CEO and Founder of EJF, emphasized this point: “Co-management empowers communities to protect the resources they rely on, giving them real influence and ownership.” He added that the project shows how collaboration between fishers and authorities can lead to “decisive progress towards sustainable fisheries.”
By documenting these experiences, EJF aims to provide a practical guide for other governments and communities seeking to implement similar co-management systems. The publication offers recommendations for effective implementation, from inclusive consultations to ongoing training and formal recognition of CMAs. The success in Liberia offers a valuable roadmap for sustainable oceans and resilient communities across West Africa.
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