Patrol vessel set to combat IUU

Vessel handover

LIBERIA: The Liberian Fisheries Authority (NaFAA) handed over the patrol vessel, Lone Star to the Ministry of National Defence for use by the Liberia Coast Guard to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as enhance compliance and enforcement across the nine coastal Counties.

The vessel was originally donated by the Welsh Government of the United Kingdom in April 2019 and was constructed in 1996. She has a Twin Caterpillar diesel engine and is capable of a speed of 17 knots.

The vessel was handed over yesterday at a ceremony where the need for inter-governmental collaboration was emphasised in the country’s mission to curb offshore illegal activities.

The proxy for the Minister of Defence at the occasion Richard Kamara Assistant Minister of Coast Guard said Liberia’s Maritime space is challenged therefore the need for joint collaboration among government entities highly exists to achieve success in the fight against illegal activities on the waters.

“If we do not protect our waters from illegal fishing activities our resources risk depletion from Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing activities,” noted the Director General of NaFAA, Emma Metieh Glassco.

According to her, the Liberian Fisheries Authority’s partnership with the Liberia Coast Guard has led to a drastic reduction in the crime rate at sea from 80% to 35-40%.