The Liberia Artisanal Fishers Association (LAFA) Inc. has called on the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) and Liberia Atlantic Development and Logistics (LADOL) to guarantee adequate environmental protection, compensation, and direct economic benefits for fishing communities affected by the proposed oil and gas shorebase project in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
The association’s call follows the signing of a Joint Development Agreement between NOCAL and LADOL for the proposed investment, which is expected to attract investment, create employment opportunities, and contribute to Liberia’s economic development.
While acknowledging the project’s potential economic benefits, LAFA has cautioned that national development must not come at the expense of artisanal fishers, women fish processors, fishmongers, and other coastal residents whose livelihoods depend on marine resources.
In a statement issued through its Secretary-General, James Logan, the association expressed concern that the project could disrupt traditional fishing grounds, restrict access to fish landing sites, threaten marine ecosystems, and negatively affect the economic activities of fishing communities.
LAFA DEMANDS CONCRETE BENEFITS FOR FISHING COMMUNITIES
LAFA is questioning what direct economic benefits fishing communities will receive if the proposed development results in restricted access to traditional fishing grounds, reduced fishing activities, or the loss of livelihoods.
The association maintains that promises of job creation, infrastructure development, and national economic growth are insufficient unless affected communities are given clear opportunities to participate in and benefit directly from the investment.
“Fishing communities must not be made to pay the price of national development with their livelihoods while others enjoy the economic benefits of the investment,” the association emphasized.
To address these concerns, LAFA is demanding that NOCAL and LADOL develop a comprehensive Fishing Community Benefit and Livelihood Protection Plan before major project activities begin.
The proposed plan should include priority employment opportunities for qualified residents, alternative livelihood support, fair compensation for verified losses, skills development, and business opportunities for local fishers, women, and young people.
The association is also calling for targeted investments in fish processing and preservation facilities, cold storage, improved smoking facilities, fishing landing sites, sanitation, potable water, and other essential community infrastructure.
Additionally, LAFA wants a dedicated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment for affected fishing communities, with their representatives involved in decisions concerning the allocation and use of such resources.
CALLS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS AND TRANSPARENT CONSULTATIONS
Beyond economic concerns, LAFA is demanding strong environmental safeguards to protect marine biodiversity, water quality, traditional fishing grounds, and other coastal resources.
The association insists that a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) should be conducted before major project activities commence, with findings and proposed mitigation measures made publicly accessible.
It is also calling for independent environmental monitoring, transparent community consultations, accessible grievance mechanisms, and accountability measures that allow affected residents to report concerns and seek appropriate redress.
LAFA further maintains that fishing organizations and representatives of affected communities must be meaningfully involved throughout the planning, development, and implementation of the project.
According to the association, communities whose livelihoods may be affected should not be treated as spectators in an investment taking place within their coastal environment.
LAFA APPEALS TO SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
In a direct appeal, the association has called on the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, as a representative of Grand Bassa County, to use her legislative oversight responsibilities to ensure that the interests and livelihoods of coastal communities are adequately protected.
LAFA is urging the Senate leadership to demand transparency and ensure that the agreement between NOCAL and LADOL contains clear and enforceable provisions addressing environmental protection, fishing access, compensation, local employment, community development, and direct economic benefits.
The association is particularly concerned about whether the interests of artisanal fishers, women fish processors, fishmongers, and young people have been adequately considered in the proposed investment.
“Madam President Pro Tempore, Grand Bassa County deserves development, but its people also deserve protection, participation, and economic justice,” the association stated.
LAFA is also requesting an opportunity for representatives of affected fishing communities, including the association itself, to present their concerns and recommendations to the relevant authorities and project developers before the project advances.
FISHERIES PROTECTION ESSENTIAL TO FOOD SECURITY
The association stressed that protecting artisanal fishing communities goes beyond preserving individual livelihoods, noting that the fisheries sector plays an important role in Liberia’s food security, employment, and economic development.
Thousands of Liberians, particularly women and young people, depend on fishing, fish processing, trading, and related activities for their daily income and survival.
LAFA warned that any development capable of disrupting these activities without adequate safeguards could negatively affect household incomes, food availability, and the economic stability of coastal communities.
It therefore maintains that the success of the Buchanan shorebase project should not be measured solely by the amount of investment attracted, infrastructure constructed, or employment generated, but also by how responsibly it protects communities and natural resources.
LAFA CALLS FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
The association is calling on NOCAL, LADOL, the Government of Liberia, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), the Legislature, and other relevant institutions to address the concerns of artisanal fishing communities before the project moves into implementation.
Among its key demands are meaningful consultations, public disclosure of environmental assessment findings, protection of traditional fishing grounds, fair compensation, livelihood restoration, local employment opportunities, dedicated community development funding, and independent environmental monitoring.
LAFA has reaffirmed its willingness to engage with government institutions, project developers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the proposed investment promotes inclusive and sustainable development.
The association believes that economic investment and sustainable fisheries can coexist if environmental responsibility, transparency, accountability, and meaningful community participation are prioritized.
It concluded that the people of Buchanan and Grand Bassa County deserve development that creates economic opportunities without destroying the livelihoods they have depended on for generations.
LAFA’S MESSAGE: UNITY IS OUR STRENGTH. PROTECTING FISHING LIVELIHOODS IS PROTECTING LIBERIA’S FOOD SECURITY, COASTAL COMMUNITIES, AND BLUE ECONOMY.