Africa-Press – Liberia. The Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NAAFA) and with support from the World Bank, has commissioned Liberia’s first semi-industrial fiberglass fishing vessel—marking a major milestone in the country’s fisheries modernization drive. The newly launched Sea King joins a fleet of 23 modern Fanti and Kru canoes already revolutionizing artisanal fishing.
The ceremony drew Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung; Marine Resources Minister Alexander Nuetah; NAAFA Board members; students from the University of Liberia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Department; fishmongers; canoe operators; members of the Armed Forces of Liberia; and other dignitaries.
NAAFA Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr. described the launch as a “national awakening”, underscoring the shift from traditional wooden canoes to fiberglass technology—an innovation he said not only modernizes the sector but protects Liberia’s forests by reducing reliance on timber.
Saygbe praised President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for entrusting NAAFA with a mandate for innovation and reform. He announced plans for a five-year strategic framework to strengthen governance, enhance competitiveness, and transform fisheries from subsistence to commercial viability. A national Fisheries and Aquaculture Investment Plan is also being developed to attract sustainable capital.
Among key achievements, Saygbe highlighted include Liberia’s first industrial fisheries management plan, a Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) system featuring advanced ocean video monitoring, nationwide training of 500 fishers, establishment of a Fisheries Data System and Fishmongers Registry, creation of NAAFA’s new Department of Fisheries and Climate Crisis and reduction of import permit processing time from weeks to one hour.
He added that a fully operational Fisheries Complex will be completed within a year, while a US$26 million port investment—expected to create about 2,500 jobs—is nearing completion. After seven years, NAAFA has also procured a new 32-seater bus as part of its internal reforms.
Vice President Koung hailed the commissioning of the Sea King as a significant stride under 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.
He announced a 25% reduction in artisanal fishing fees, effective January 2026, in keeping with President Boakai’s mandate. Annual fees for peddling canoes will drop from US$50 to US$30; vessels with one or two powerhouses from US$250 to US$175; and those with 15 to 40 powerhouses from US$450 to US$350.
Among key achievements, Saygbe highlighted include Liberia’s first industrial fisheries management plan, a Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) system featuring advanced ocean video monitoring and nationwide training of 500 fishers./ L-R: Madam Georgia Wallen, World Bank Country Manager, J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr., NAAFA Director General and VP Jeremiah Kpan Koung.
“These reductions demonstrate the government’s responsiveness to our people’s needs,” Koung stressed.
He encouraged the sector to inspire young people, noting that fishing should be seen as a pathway to prosperity, not just survival. Koung urged the Finance Ministry to prioritize investment in more fishing vessels, proposing a US$25 million fund to procure over 50 vessels targeting high-value species such as tuna and lobster.
“Let’s channel resources into catching high-value fish like tuna and lobsters to drive economic growth,” he appealed.
World Bank Country Director Madame Georgia Wallen commended Liberia’s progress, calling the Sea King a transformative asset aligned with the ARREST agenda.
“This vessel is a vital resource for Liberia’s semi-industrial fishery development,” she said, stressing the need to balance industrial and artisanal fisheries—especially in coastal communities that remain key to the country’s economy.
Wallen outlined four priorities for sustainable sector growth including continued investment in fisheries infrastructure, innovation and skills development, strengthening NAAFA’s institutional capacity and inclusive stakeholder engagement for transparent, community-centered decision-making.
She further emphasized partnerships linking commercial operators with artisanal fishers to improve value chains and infrastructure.
Madame Wallen lauded NAAFA’s leadership, noting that the renewed energy within the sector signals a promising future for Liberia’s fisheries industry.
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