In an effort to deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU)
fishing across Liberia, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority
(NaFAA) has fined an illegal fishing boat containing seven migrants
from the Ivory Coast US$5,000.00 in consistent with the 2010 fisheries
regulations.
The Ivorian Boat which had entered Liberian waters illegally was
arrested Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Grandcess, Grand Kru County with
the help of the Community Based Surveillance Network, a local community
based organization along fishing communities in Liberia’s nine coastal
counties.
The seven illegal Ivorian fishermen are currently being detained by
the local authorities in Grandcess and their semi industrial fishing
boat has been confiscated.
A NaFAA press release issued Saturday April 4, 2020 quotes its Deputy Director General for Technical Services as saying that the illegal Ivoirian fishing vessel SP202 was spotted by some members of the Community Based Surveillance Network who later informed NaFAA’s fisheries team in Grandcess about the illegal fishing activities.
Mr. William Y. Boeh indicated that illegal fishing activities are
being perpetrated constantly by group of Ivoirians, Ghanaians, and
Togolese among others despite several arrest and fines imposed on them
due to the help of the Community Based Surveillance Network.
Hon. Boeh stated that some of the illegal fishing boats are currently
beached at the Mesurado Pier due to the failure of their owners to pay
fines imposed on them by NaFAA for illegally fishing in Liberian waters.
He further that majority of the illegal fishing activities are being
carried out along the Southeastern part of Liberia where major fishing
activities are taking place.
Meanwhile, the Director General of NaFAA is calling on authorities of
the Ministry Health, National Public Health Institute of Liberia and
the Liberian Immigration Service to probe the fishermen’s legality and
status referenced to the COVID 19.
Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco is commending members of the community and its community-based surveillance network for the level of engagement and urged them to continue to be vigilant at all times for the safety of Liberia.
Source:http://gnnliberia.com/2020/04/04/liberia-nafaa-fines-illegal-ivorian-fishermen-us5000-00/
