Ahead of the celebrations, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has received sporting materials from Liberia’s Ambassador-at-Large for Youth and Sports Development, Alioune Kebe, in support of the planned activities.
The four-day programme is expected to bring together fishing communities, young people, educational institutions and other stakeholders through a series of activities highlighting fisheries, sports, public health and community participation.
Planned events include canoe races, football and kickball competitions, a Fisheries Career Day in collaboration with Tubman University, health and wellness activities, and a community bonfire.
The programme will also feature the official opening of NaFAA’s first regional office in Harper, a development expected to bring the Authority’s services closer to fishing communities in southeastern Liberia.
The indoor programme will feature the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Liberia, Aliou Mamadou Dia, as keynote speaker.
As part of efforts to connect sports with environmental awareness, NaFAA also plans to engage fishing communities on introducing beach soccer as a way of promoting beach cleanliness and improved sanitation.
The national observance is scheduled for November 21 in Harper, with the opening of the regional office expected to coincide with the celebration. The decentralization initiative is intended to strengthen NaFAA’s presence outside Monrovia and improve engagement with fisheries stakeholders.
World Fisheries Day is observed internationally on November 21 to recognize the contribution of fisheries and fishing communities to food security, livelihoods and the sustainable management of aquatic resources.
This year's activities in Harper are expected to combine celebration with public engagement, while drawing attention to the role of fisheries in Liberia’s coastal economy.
