Monrovi, Liberia April 29, 2019- A Welsh Patrol vessel worth £44,000 which was given to Liberia has arrived in the country.

The Fisheries patrol vessel, known as the Pride of Wales, arrived on the 26th of April 2019, and its situated at the Freeport of Monrovia.

Accordingto NaFAA, vessel is intended to boast government’s effort towards curbing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities on the Liberian Territorial Waters. The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority is commending the Welsh Government of the United Kingdom for donating a fisheries patrol vessel to Liberia.

Speaking upon the arrival of the much anticipated patrol vessel, Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco, said that the “Liberian government is grateful to the people of Welsh for such a generous donation”, and will collaborate with the Liberian Coast Guard to use it as a vital tool to combat illegal fishing in the Liberian territorial waters.

The Pride of Wales (FPV Aegis) which was constructed in 1996, has a Twin Caterpillar 3408 700 horsepower (hp) diesel engines, consumes 100/120 litre per hour at 17 Knots, has a 500-liter fresh water tank and holds 4000 liters of fuel in two tanks.

It has an anchor with 60m chain, navigation equipment including compass and GPS, satellite phone, Furuno Echo Sounder, Koden Radar, search light with remote control, navigation lights and four lifebuoys.

The NaFAA Boss further said “we are currently working on plans with our development partners to ensure the vessel will be maintained and operated to best standards, and to ensure that it serves to protect our valuable fisheries resources towards long term sustainable economic goals.”

According to a NaFAA Press Release, Madam Glassco mentioned that Liberia is losing huge amount of revenue on a daily basis from illegal fishing activities in Liberian Waters.

She named Maryland, Sinoe, Rivercess, Grand Kru and Grand Bassa Counties in the Southeast of Liberia as places where illegal fishing activities are prevalent causing tremendous loss to Liberia.

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority’s Boss noted that with the “latest, timely and generous donation of the fisheries patrol vessel by the Welsh government of the United Kingdom, Liberia is now in the position to increase its coastal resource security thus resulting to increased revenue from the fisheries sector.