NaFAA Records Major Reforms and Milestones Ahead of World Fisheries Day
November 10, 2025
By Feeme M. Wantee
Monrovia: The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Mr. J. Cyrus Saygbe, has said Liberia’s fisheries sector is undergoing significant transformation driven by transparency, accountability, and modernization, in line with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda.
Speaking at MICAT regular press briefing, Mr. Saygbe outlined a series of reforms and achievements implemented over the past seven months, describing NaFAA’s turnaround as “a story of renewal and resilience.”
“When we took over in March 2025, the NaFAA we met was like an eddoes soup nice and cold on the top but hot and horrible on the bottom,” Mr. Saygbeh said, while highlighting the institution inherited liabilities amounting to US$3.1 million with just US$350,000 in the bank.
He revealed that since taking office, NaFAA has focused on institutional recovery, improved staff welfare, and restored donor confidence. He said among key reforms, the agency has begun remitting staff taxes and NASSCORP contributions, reinstating wrongfully dismissed employees, introducing staff recognition programs, and transitioning long-term contractors to permanent status.
“Starting December 1, 2025, all NaFAA staff and their immediate family members will begin receiving medical insurance, while our sea-going observers will be covered under life insurance,” he disclosed, adding that a new 32-seater staff bus has also been procured to improve worker mobility.
Mr. Saygbe further announced the successful activation of the Fisheries Information Management System (FIMS), which has reduced fish import permit processing time from three weeks to just 48 hours, improving efficiency and stakeholder confidence.
To decentralize operations, NaFAA will open its first regional office in Harper, Maryland County early next year, supported by additional offices built across five coastal counties through European Union and Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) funding.
On Liberia’s fisheries potential, Mr. Saygbeh emphasized that the country’s waters host over 347,000 metric tons of fish resources, but only about 53,000 metric tons are currently harvested annually.
To close this production gap, NaFAA has introduced semi-industrial fishing vessels and is advancing plans for an Integrated Industrial Fish Farm in Nimba County and a fisheries port valued at US$26 million to reduce fish offloading in neighboring countries. A major highlight of the year, he announced, is the arrival of Liberia’s first semi-industrial fiberglass fishing vessel, “Sea King,” constructed in Oman with World Bank support.
The vessel is expected to be commissioned by President Boakai on November 24, 2025, at the Mesurado Pier in Monrovia. “The arrival of the Sea King marks a historic milestone for Liberia’s fisheries sector a bold step toward industrialization, innovation, and sustainability,” Saygbeh stated.
NaFAA is also preparing for the World Fisheries Day celebration under the national theme, “Sustaining Fisheries, Securing Livelihoods.”
Activities will include sports events in Robertsport, a career day and university debate, an employee’s day, and a grand celebration in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. Additionally, NaFAA will host a Fish Market Day Exhibition on November 28, featuring local fishers, processors, and entrepreneurs showcasing products such as fish, crab, and lobster, as well as demonstrations of new fish processing technologies.
Looking ahead, Mr. Saygbeh announced that preparations are underway for the National Fisheries Investment Conference (NFIC) in February 2026, which aims to attract both domestic and international investors to explore opportunities in aquaculture, processing, and export diversification. “Our vision is to build a modern, transparent, and inclusive fisheries sector that empowers our communities and strengthens Liberia” he added.
