By Amos Harris
The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has launched a two-day training workshop for 12 Liberian journalists aimed at improving media coverage of the country’s fisheries sector and promoting greater transparency and accountability in the management of marine resources.
The training, held at D’ Calabash Hotel in Monrovia on Wednesday and Thursday, August 5–6, 2026, was conducted under the Oceans5-funded project titled “Creating Greater Fisheries Transparency in Liberia.” The initiative brought together journalists from print, radio, television, and online media platforms to enhance their understanding of fisheries governance, illegal fishing, and environmental reporting.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, EJF Program Officer Augustine Fayiah explained that the workshop was organized to equip media professionals with the necessary skills to effectively report on fisheries-related issues. He noted that despite its vital importance to Liberia’s economy and food security, the sector has historically received limited media attention.
Fayiah encouraged journalists to focus on critical challenges affecting the maritime industry, including illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, human rights abuses at sea, and the protection of Liberia’s Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ), which is reserved exclusively for artisanal fishermen.
Also addressing the participants, EJF Communications and Media Officer Abraham N. Nyorkor said the training was designed to provide journalists with practical knowledge and investigative skills to better expose practices threatening Liberia’s marine resources and coastal communities.
According to Nyorkor, participants were trained to identify fisheries topics of public interest, distinguish verifiable facts from opinion, produce accurate and ethical human-interest stories, and advocate for sustainable fisheries management through responsible journalism. He added that the program introduced journalists to the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, an international framework designed to improve openness and combat illegal fishing worldwide.
EJF noted that while Liberia’s fisheries sector contributes significantly to national revenue, employment, and food security, public awareness remains low due to sparse media coverage. The organization expressed confidence that stronger investigative reporting will help expose systemic challenges while driving governance reforms.
The Foundation recalled remarks made by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai during the Liberia National Fisheries and Investment Conference (Kpongama 2026) in March, where he described illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing as “a theft on the future of our children” and emphasized the urgent need for stronger measures to protect the country’s marine ecosystems.
Representing the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Director of Research and Statistics Austine Saye Wehye commended the participating journalists for their interest in coverage of the sector. He praised EJF and its funding partner, Oceans5, for supporting initiative to build transparency and elevate public awareness.
Wehye encouraged media practitioners to leverage the training by generating consistent coverage on fisheries governance and development. He assured participants that NaFAA remains committed to transparency, open communication, and providing the media with timely access to information.
As part of the workshop, journalists undertook a field visit to the West Point fishing community, where they engaged with local artisanal fishermen, fishmongers, and fish processors. The hands-on exercise allowed participants to gather direct accounts, identify story ideas, and apply the investigative techniques covered during the sessions.
During the field interaction, Fanti Sea Chief Kofi Kwansan welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation to the government for reducing annual canoe registration fees from US$470 under previous administrations to US$350. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in the industry, Kwansan noted that local fishing communities continue to collaborate closely with NaFAA to maintain regulatory compliance and improve sector outcomes.
Fish processor Comfort Dickson outlined the seasonal hardships confronting women in the trade, explaining that reduced catches during the rainy season severely strain household incomes. She revealed that she currently sells tea and bread to supplement her earnings, noting that fish processing remains her family’s primary means of paying school fees and meeting daily living expenses.
Another fishmonger, Shallor Weah, highlighted the economic opportunities within the trade while pointing out that traders often absorb financial strain by supporting fishermen during periods of illness or hardship. She stressed that strong mutual relationships between fishmongers and fishermen are essential for sustaining coastal livelihoods.
In closing, EJF urged the participating journalists to ensure all resulting reports are factual, evidence-based, balanced, and free from sensationalism. The organization emphasized that responsible media coverage is vital for advancing transparency, protecting Liberia’s marine resources, and safeguarding the livelihoods of thousands of citizens reliant on the sector.