Liberia plans national fisheries investment conference to expand marine sector
Event aims to attract investors to marine resources and aquaculture
LIBERIA – Liberia’s fisheries authority has announced plans for the country’s first National Fisheries Investment Conference, an event designed to present opportunities in the marine sector and encourage new capital into the industry.
The two-day gathering will take place on March 30–31 at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County and is expected to bring together government officials, investors, development agencies, and fisheries specialists to examine ways of expanding Liberia’s blue economy.
J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr., Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, introduced the initiative during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, explaining that the conference will focus on the country’s underused marine resources.
He said Liberia’s waters are estimated to contain about 254,000 metric tons of deep-water fish stocks and another 94,000 metric tons of species closer to the surface, although annual catches currently reach only about 53,000 metric tons including roughly 17,000 metric tons linked to the international tuna industry.
According to Saygbe, the conference will also connect potential investors with government institutions and private sector players interested in expanding fisheries and aquaculture operations.
Investment proposals and policy launches
Organizers plan to present three investment projects intended to strengthen Liberia’s seafood value chain and increase domestic participation in industrial fishing.
One proposal involves establishing a Liberian-owned industrial fishing fleet through partnerships with private companies, while another focuses on building a dedicated fishing port and dry dock facility so vessels operating in the country no longer need to travel to other West African ports such as those in Ghana or Senegal for servicing.
A third initiative outlines plans for an industrial-scale aquaculture farm in Nimba County with additional sites proposed in three other counties to increase farmed fish production.
During the conference, President Joseph Boakai is expected to unveil three sector policy documents that include a ten-year fisheries development strategy, a public private partnership framework, and a national fisheries investment plan.
Technology, market access and regional cooperation
The program will include nine discussion panels covering topics such as fisheries governance, aquaculture investment, climate resilience, seafood processing, technology adoption, and access to regional and international markets.
Organizers said specialists from Slovenia will present monitoring tools known as Blue Trapper technology designed to help detect illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, while representatives from Morocco and other countries will share experience in seafood processing and value addition.
The event will also feature a “Blue Marketplace” where scientists and entrepreneurs will display high-value marine species and aquaculture products including tilapia and catfish.
Ahead of the conference, the fisheries authority plans to hold a Fish Market Day on March 14 in Monrovia where around 50 women traders will sell seafood products such as lobster, crab, tilapia, and catfish directly to consumers.
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