By Senior Contributor O’Neil Philips

Monrovia, April 30,2021: The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) of Liberia has intensified awareness on the exchange of rubber net for thread net at major fishing harbors across Montserrado and Margibi counties.

The awareness began at NaFAA Headquarters with a floating caravan towards Vai Town in Monrovia onwards to West point fishing harbor.The NaFAA team also visited Popo Beach in New Kru Town, and towards Banjor fishing harbor.

Later the team went to Gbakor in Bomi county, Marshall, ELWA King Gray and Edwin Snow beach fishing harbors.

During the awareness program held at the various harbors with fishermen, the Director General of NaFAA, Emma Metieh Glasco said government will give thread nets to fishermen in exchange for rubber net without a cost.

Madame Glasco said the rubber net is not safe for fishing because it damages other marine species that are not to be hunted.

She maintain that rubber net is banned for use in the fishing industry globally. The NaFAA boss stressed that government is a signatory to international protocol, and as such Liberia must abide by international protocol.

But she was quick to point out that government will not immediately ban the rubber nets in Liberia. She averred that the exercise is intended to introduce the use of the thread net in Liberian waters.

Earlier, some fishermen were resistant in accepting the use of the thread net due to lack of understanding about the program.

However, due to the NaFAA boss’ clarification, the fishermen accepted government policy on the use of the thread net.

According to madame Glasco, the First Lady, Claire Marie Weah will officially launch government distribution of the free and safe thread net on May 13,2021 in Monrovia.