Under the partnership between NaFAA and the World Bank, the institution has initiated the deployment of Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders throughout fishing canoes spread across Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Grand Cape Mount counties within Liberia.
The Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project incorporates this initiative as a vital element to strengthen fishery sector governance and operational management in Liberia.
The official ceremony for the project took place at Popo Beach Community which resides on Bushrod Island on February 25. The Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project reached a major milestone according to its Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) component according to Abraham Dioh who serves as project coordinator.
Improving communication between fishermen and the NaFAA MCS station remains the main purpose of this initiative to enhance rescue operations and maritime safety.
The AIS transponders operate to track canoes for 12 nautical miles, which improves rescue efforts between personnel and makes communication possible according to Dioh.
Dioh explained that this program emerged due to increased sea incidents with fatal casualties among them. The successful pilot tests of AIS transponders in 2020 showed their effectiveness which resulted in at least one successful rescue operation. The expansion of this World Bank-supported project will extend to other Liberian regions when sufficient resources become accessible.
The World Bank Task Lead for Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project Ruma Taborath highlighted the importance of this initiative. The implementation of AIS transponders will lead to major operational improvements in communication for sea-going fishermen according to her observation.
The initiative started to equip 3,000 canoes but the present implementation stage will provide AIS transponders to approximately 400 fishermen.
NaFAA and World Bank united their efforts to demonstrate broader dedication toward enhancing security and economic opportunities for Liberia’s fishing community members. The project brings advanced technology into the traditional fishing sector to decrease maritime risk while establishing protected operational environments for fishermen.
This AIS transponder implementation will create a successful model for regional fisheries sector challenges that use technological advancements to find solutions. The project demands ongoing evaluation from fishing communities through feedback to achieve maximum system performance before wider expansion.
NaFAA and the World Bank collaborate in a forward-looking approach to protect maritime safety throughout Liberia. The strategic placement of AIS transponders through this initiative functions to protect both fishermen’s lives and to advance sustainable fishing practices in the vital fisheries sector of the nation.
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