23/01/2024
Liberia Set to Unveil Cutting-Edge Moroccan Research Vessel for Fisheries Advancement
By: Abraham Sylvester Panto
BAKUS TV Live
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MONROVIA, LIBERIA: The Liberian government, in collaboration with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), is gearing up to commission the state-of-the-art Scientific Research Vessel from Morocco. The highly anticipated ceremony is scheduled for this Friday, January 26, 2024, at the B**g Mines Pier near the Freeport of Monrovia.
The commissioning follows a pivotal agreement signed on January 31, 2023, between Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco, Director General of NaFAA, and H.E Mohammed SADIKI, the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, rural development, water, and forest. This groundbreaking pact authorized the Moroccan vessel to conduct an independent stock assessment of Liberia's territorial waters, aiming to evaluate its commercial potential and attract strategic investments.
As the event unfolds, Liberia eagerly anticipates the arrival of Minister Mohammed SADIKI and his delegation on Thursday, January 25, 2024, for the commissioning ceremony. Notably, regional Fisheries Cabinet Ministers from Cote DโIvoire, Guinea Conakry, and other dignitaries are expected to grace the occasion. Additionally, the Secretary General and Presidents of regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) will join in, adding prestige to this historic event.
The stock assessment, a critical initiative outlined in a NaFAA Press Release Tuesday, January 23, 2024, seeks to address longstanding challenges in the fisheries sector by gathering essential data. Lewis E.B Konoe, Director of Communications and Media Services at NaFAA, emphasizes the assessment's role in not only formulating a robust management plan but also unlocking the industrialization potential of Liberia's fisheries sector. The outcome is poised to shape the future of fisheries governance in Liberia and contribute to its commercial viability.