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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Improving transparency and participation in Liberia’s fisheries sector

Government of Liberia (National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority) (
Government
)
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    Description
    Description

    The Government of Liberia is committing to improve transparency and stakeholder participation by joining the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI). This commitment has been manifested by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) and the FiTI. This agreement establishes a collaboration framework to coordinate activities related to enhancing the transparency of fisheries management in Liberia through the implementation of the FiTI Standard.
    Liberia recognizes that managing fisheries in a sustainable way is complex and that the most effective approach is based on public participation. However, stakeholders cannot effectively participate without access to credible government information. Utilizing the globally accepted framework of the FiTI will help Liberia to enhance public access to accurate and timely data, strengthening stakeholder collaboration and eventually benefiting from a public trust dividend that shields the sector against misinformation and unfair adverse publicity.
    The implementation of the FiTI in Liberia will be overseen by a National Multi-Stakeholder Group, which will be formed as part of the implementation process and will have equal participation from the public sector, the private sector, and civil society.

    Partners

    Fisheries Transparency Initiative “Non-Government”

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
    Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority and the Fisheries Transparency Initiative
    Establish them FiTI National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) for Liberia
    Obtain FiTI Candidate country status
    Publish fisheries information as required under the FiTI Standard
    Financing (in USD)
    Financing (in USD): The FiTI will cover costs of up to six multi-stakeholder group meetings in Liberia over the course of the first 18 months as well as Liberia’s launch event for its first transparency report (of up to 10k USD)
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Staff / Technical expertise: The FiTI will provide the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority and the to-be formed Multi- Stakeholder Group with technical assistance and regular capacity building activities regarding the implementation of the FiTI S
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Staff / Technical expertise: The FITI will support the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority in the annual transparency process (for up to 3 years) of publishing fisheries information (either online on a website) or through dedicated FiTI Reports.
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Timeline
    01 May 2025 (start date)
    31 May 2028 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Government of Liberia (National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority)
    SDGs
    Other beneficiaries
    Government of Liberia Citizens of Liberia Actors linked to the productive chain of the fishing sector (fishermen, merchants, processors, exporters, among others)
    Ocean Basins
    South Atlantic
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Sustainable fisheries
    More information
    Countries
    Liberia
    Liberia
    Headquarters
    Monrovia, Liberia
    Contact Information

    J. Cyrus, Acting Director General