Liberia Unveils Digital Fisheries Management System To Boost Revenue,  Protect Marine Resources

By Amos Harris

Monrovia, Liberia — The government of Liberia has launched a new digital platform, the Fisheries Integrated Management System (FIMS), to modernize its fisheries sector, increase revenue, and combat illegal fishing. This state-of-the-art system is expected to improve monitoring, data management, and the overall sustainability of the country’s marine resources.

The launch, held at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) headquarters, brought together key government officials, international development partners, and leaders from the private sector and fishing communities.

James Dorbor Jallah, Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), hailed the FIMS initiative as a major step forward for both the fisheries sector and national revenue. He stated that for too long, the lack of an integrated system and reliance on manual processes had left the country vulnerable to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, leading to significant revenue loss.

The new FIMS platform will provide real-time data on vessel licensing, catch volumes, export values, and operator compliance. It will also digitize vessel registration and payments, track fishing activities, and improve the traceability of fish products. By integrating scientific data, the system will inform both fisheries policy and national revenue planning.

To enhance transparency and strengthen enforcement, the FIMS will be linked with the LRA’s Tax Administration System, the Liberia Coast Guard, Customs, and the National Port Authority. This integration is designed to reduce revenue leakage and ensure greater accountability.

Jallah emphasized that closing the information gap would also close the revenue gap, noting that accurate data would allow the government to set fishing license fees that align with international market values. He cited the successes of similar systems in other countries, such as Namibia, which saw a 40% increase in annual fisheries revenue, and Ghana, which reduced illegal fishing losses by integrating its fisheries data with customs and port inspections.

For the system to succeed, Jallah outlined several key steps:

• Capacity Building: Continuous training for staff.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Sensitizing fishing communities and exporters to the benefits of the new system.
• Data-Driven Policy: Using data to guide decisions on license fees and fishing limits.
• Regional Cooperation: Working with neighboring countries to combat cross-border illegal fishing.
• Sustainable Financing: Using fisheries revenue to maintain and upgrade the system.

Jallah closed his address with a powerful message, stating, “Fisheries are not just about fish—they are about jobs, nutrition, trade, and national wealth.” He stressed that FIMS will help attract investment and align Liberia’s practices with international fisheries commitments, ensuring the protection of marine resources for future generations.

The launch of the FIMS is a major collaborative effort between NaFAA, the LRA, and their international partners, signaling a coordinated push to modernize Liberia’s fisheries sector and maximize its economic potential while safeguarding sustainability.