Presidency

H. E. Joseph N. Boakai, Sr.

President of Liberia

H. E. Zegben J. K. Koung

Vice President of Liberia

EPA Trains Fishmongers, Others On Sustainable Fisheries Resources Management

Cross-section of participants at the training in Robertsports, Grand Cape Mount County

 

The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) through its Energy and Environment Program has concluded a two-day training for fisherfolks, fishmongers and retailers in Robertsports, Grand Cape Mount County.

The two-day training on sustainable artisanal fisheries resources management practices, which ran from 6-7 May 2021, sought to empower participants on how to use biodiversity base business model to sustain livelihood without compromising the integrity of biodiversity resources and its ecosystems.

Atty. Salimatu Lamin-Gilayeneh, coordinator of the Energy and Environment Program at EPA said the training was also intended to educate local fisherfolks, fishmongers, retailers and NGOs representatives on sustainable fishing practices and methods.

She disclosed that participants were taught fisheries management and fish conservation techniques and methods as well as the economics of fishing and fish preservation.

Atty. Lamin-Gilayeneh explained that the fishmongers, fisherfolks, retailers and NGOs representatives were also educated on the importance of mangrove ecosystem to local artisanal fishing industry.

The participants were provided a list of threatened fish species in West Africa.

The exercise was funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as part of EPA’s ‘Promoting Sustainable Management of Local Biodiversity Resources’ Campaign.

A representative of UNDP Liberia, Moses A. Massah lauded the participants for turning out for the training.

Mr. Massah did a presentation on the ‘role of communities in biodiversity conservation-a reflection on Community Forest Governance’ (Ch.3 of the regulations to the community Rights Law of 2009 with respect to forest lands).

The training exercise precedes the celebration of this year’s World Environment Day scheduled to take place in Robertsports on 5 June.

The United Nations General Assembly designates 5 June as World Environment Day, marking the

first day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

World Environment Day is the UN’s most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment