The project team, in collaboration with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), organized a series of four learning visits for five Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to observe existing Collaborative Management Associations (CMAs) in Liberia. These visits built upon the CMA Training of Trainers (ToT) session and provided the CSOs with invaluable, firsthand insights into the successful formation and sustainability of CMAs. The primary objective of these visits was to equip the CSOs with practical knowledge and lessons learned from the functional CMAs, guiding them in facilitating the CMA concept in their own communities.
The group, which included NaFAA, the CSOs, and the project team, traveled to four counties in Liberia where established and operational CMAs were already making a difference. The involvement of NaFAA was a key aspect of the collaboration, as outlined in the project’s output for co-organizing knowledge-sharing sessions. The team visited CMAs that were performing well and captured valuable insights from the communities.
One of the key lessons learned was that enhancing women’s participation in the CMA structure requires targeted efforts, such as affirmative action, to allocate executive roles specifically for women. Additionally, to ensure the community’s buy-in and enthusiasm, community mobilization efforts must be thorough and inclusive, making sure fisherfolk fully understand the structure and benefits of the CMA concept.
When developing a CMA constitution and operational guidelines, it is effective to adopt, and if necessary, improve upon the frameworks of existing CMAs, building on a solid foundation of previous successes. It is also essential that each catchment community is represented in CMA committees and that each landing site has a designated coordinator. This structure ensures broad community participation and improves communication, ensuring that information flows efficiently across all communities.
Moreover, CMA training should not end with the initial formation, as refresher workshops are crucial to enhance the effectiveness of the association in carrying out its duties and ensuring its long-term success. Including local government authorities, potentially as board members, adds legitimacy and authority to the association, fostering stronger governance.
Finally, for the CMA to be financially sustainable, NaFAA’s commitment to remitting 30% of canoe licensing fees at the county level is vital. This, alongside other financial strategies, will help ensure continued funding for CMA operations. These insights are instrumental in shaping the CSOs’ efforts to promote and sustain the CMA concept in their own regions, creating stronger, more resilient communities in Liberia’s coastal areas.
