“The fisheries sector in Liberia remains under threat from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Transparency is a low- or no-cost, high-impact solution.”-Environmental Justice Foundation, August 2025.
A newly released report from the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has raised red flags over persistent threats facing Liberia’s fisheries sector, warning that illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to undermine national food security, economic livelihoods, and marine sustainability.
The report, published this month with support from the European Union, offers a comprehensive roadmap for the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) to strengthen transparency, safeguard the country’s ocean resources, and protect the more than 75,000 Liberians whose jobs depend on the sector.
Fish remains the primary source of protein for 80% of Liberia’s population, making these reforms not only urgent, but essential.
Liberia endorsed the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency earlier this year and reaffirmed that commitment at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice.
The EJF assessment measures the country’s implementation of the Charter’s ten key principles, ranging from vessel tracking to public accountability.
According to the report, Liberia has fully implemented two principles, partially implemented seven, and has yet to act on one, highlighting steady progress but also clear areas for improvement.
One of the most pressing concerns outlined is Liberia’s continued acceptance of flags of convenience, a practice allowing foreign vessels to register under Liberia’s flag, often to obscure their real ownership and evade scrutiny.
The report notes that such loopholes undermine regulatory oversight and contribute to IUU fishing.
Further, the report found that beneficial ownership information, which identifies the real individuals or entities profiting from a vessel’s operations, is not routinely collected, disclosed, or made publicly available.
This gap persists despite government commitments to transparency and anti-corruption.
Also troubling is the lack of public access to critical information such as violations of Liberian fishing laws and the working conditions of fishing crews.
The EJF is calling for stronger traceability systems, so that fish can be tracked from catch to consumer-an approach that would enhance both enforcement and consumer confidence.
Despite these concerns, the report recognizes Liberia’s significant strides. It commends NaFAA for strong monitoring of transshipments, a known hotspot for IUU activity, and for requiring tracking systems on all industrial fishing vessels.
The government’s support for community-based fisheries management in six coastal counties is also praised as a meaningful step toward inclusive governance.
“Liberia is already leading by example in West Africa through its public commitment to transparency,” said Cephas Asare, EJF’s West Africa Regional Manager. “This report is designed to support NaFAA and other institutions to target their next steps effectively, based on international best practice.”
Steve Trent, CEO and Founder of EJF, added: “These reforms are entirely practical, but more than that, they are essential to ensure Liberia’s fisheries remain a source of food and income for generations to come.”
Among the report’s key recommendations are:
Mandating International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers for all fishing vessel registrations
Public disclosure of beneficial ownership information
Ratification of global treaties such as the Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety and the ILO Convention 188 on decent working conditions for fishers.
As the report makes clear, Liberia stands at a crossroads. Full implementation of transparency measures could secure a future of sustainable, ethical, and legal fisheries-benefiting both the environment and the Liberian people.
