The Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Madam Emma Metieh Glassco has stressed the need for a stronger bilateral relationship between the Chinese Embassy near Monrovia and the Liberian fisheries sector.
Madam Glassco encouraged her Chinese counterpart to place keen attention on the fisheries sector while undertaking development projects in Liberia. She applauded her Chinese counterpart for the numerous supports they have provided for the Fisheries Authorities, especially for the training opportunities provided for the staff, both at the Master’s Degree level and the short-term technical training.
NaFAA Boss further stated that her entity is currently seeking investment in the small-scale fisheries sectors, specifically in attracting semi-industrial vessels to boost local production to curb the fish demand deficit. According to madam Glassco, Liberia will only be opened to industrial fishing vessels when the completion of a comprehensive stock assessment which is expected to commence in June of this year is completed.
The Director-General made these statements on Monday, May 9, 2022, when she paid a courtesy visit to the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Ren Yisheng at his Chinese Embassy office near Monrovia.
Madam Glassco informed the Chinese Ambassador of the current World Bank project which supports the establishment of a Fisheries Degree Program at the University of Liberia. She however asked Amb. Yisheng to assist in providing technical support to the UL program, especially the Aquaculture program, by providing experts or professors as well as other professionals for knowledge sharing and capacity development.
She among other things proposed a trainer of trainer’s program that would provide more opportunities to develop local talents in aquaculture development, adding that it will provide the needed assistance to bridge the skill gaps in the Aquaculture sector.
NaFAA Boss said the entity’s decision to adopt climate-smart approaches in the fisheries sector by transitioning from dugout wooden canoes to Fiberglass boats.
Madam Emma Glassco encouraged the Chinese who are one of the leading manufacturers of Fiberglass boats to take advantage of the investment opportunities to start the local production of Fiberglass boats in Liberia, noting that it is a great business opportunity in the Fisheries sector and will also provide job opportunities for many Liberian.
For his part, Ambassador Ren expressed his delight to receive the NaFAA Boss and her interest in partnering with the Chinese Embassy to strengthen the Liberia Fisheries Sector.
Ambassador Ren noted that he was impressed that NaFAA had taken full advantage of the training opportunities that were offered to its staff in China, stating that due to the current COVID Pandemic, scholarships and training are now done online and the Chinese Economic and Commercial Consulate provides hundreds of online programs for Liberians.
He however encouraged NaFAA management to take advantage of the opportunities and apply for the online training. Ambassador Ren stated that he was very impressed with DG Glassco’s Training of Trainers concept and believed that this will be the best approach that requires support. The Chinese Ambassador attached great importance to NaFAA and is willing to partner with the entity for the development of the sector.
According to him, China is heavily involved in aquaculture and is willing to support NaFAA to improve aquaculture development especially in bringing experts for training that will provide other opportunities aimed at introducing different aquaculture techniques for the sector; such as improving fish pond construction, cage fish farming among others.
Madam Glassco and Ambassador Ren agreed to develop a bilateral relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines the scope of technical support to NaFAA’s programs and the fisheries sector.
Reported by: G. Watson Richards
Contact: +231880381808/+231775807140
Email: richardswatson96@gmail.com
