The Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association (LAFA) has raised concerns about the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority’s (NaFAA) plan to develop Liberia’s industrial shrimp trawl fishery. LAFA warned that this move threatens the livelihoods, safety, and food security of over 57,000 artisanal fishers.

Impact on Marine Life and Coastal Communities

LAFA highlighted the risks to Liberia’s unique marine life and the negative impact on coastal and inland communities dependent on artisanal fisheries. LAFA President Jerry N. Blamo, Sr. emphasized the need to prioritize artisanal fisheries, which are vital to national food security and cultural heritage.

The association argued that industrial bottom trawling for shrimp could destroy marine ecosystems, increase competition for resources, and elevate the risk of vessel collisions. LAFA expressed concern that the draft Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) would lead to overexploitation of shrimp species and undermine sustainable, small-scale fisheries.

Call for Sustainable Management

LAFA urged NaFAA to secure the 6 nautical mile inshore exclusion zone exclusively for subsistence, artisanal, and semi-industrial fishing. They called for the development of a domestic, small-scale, low-impact fishery within this zone to protect the livelihoods and food security of coastal communities.

LAFA criticized the draft FMP, which supports expanding an industrial trawl fishery based on insufficient data from experimental shrimp fishing. The association stressed the need for sustainable and inclusive fisheries management to protect artisanal fishers and marine environments.