The European Union-funded Liberia Fisheries Governance Project (LFGP), last month, held an awareness workshop to commence community education and awareness on the Co-Management Association (CMA) approach.
In collaboration with the county office of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), LFGP organized a full-day awareness workshop targeted at the lead fisherfolk within the project’s landscape. The meeting drew participation from fishing chiefs, fisheries chairladies, and chairpersons of fisheries cooperatives across the fishing communities of Butaw, Greenville, Dugbe, and Sanquin districts.
The focus on lead fisherfolk is vital for engaging existing leadership structures within the fishing communities and ensuring their appreciation of the concept before launching widespread community engagement. This strategic move aims to align lead fisherfolk with the project team, thereby minimizing potential opposition to the concept. Via this move, the project gets to onboard these lead fisherfolk to support subsequent dissemination processes within their communities. Concerns about the CMA are likely to arise from these leaders, who may view it as a disruption to their authority and leadership.
The CMA is a management concept designed to foster resilience and improve good governance within coastal areas. It brings together key stakeholders, particularly resource users and state actors, to collectively govern coastal resources toward long-term sustainability.
The event was attended by the seven beneficiary organizations (BOs) selected to support LFGP’s rollout. In the coming days, the LFGP, through its BOs, will be engaging directly with communities across the project landscape and create awareness and interest in the CMA approach. This awareness campaign will be conducted through direct community engagements and media broadcasts.
