Fisheries staffers get training

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority here in partnership with UNMIL is training several of its employees, including top managers, in the areas of Fisheries Management with emphasis on Fish Quality Assurance and Legislation in relation to Fish Processing.

According to a press release issued in Monrovia, facilitating the first phase of the two days International Workshop taking place at the Fisheries’ Mesurado Pier on Bushrod Island, the Director of Research and Statistics at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority stresses the importance of quality control and assurance for an overall success within the Liberian fisheries sector.

Mr. Austin Wehye points out that a WHO report has revealed that more than two million deaths occur annually due to unsafe food on the market.
Making a power point presentation at the workshop, which brought together several fisheries stakeholders, he explains that food containing harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses and chemicals is also responsible for more than 200 diseases ranging from infectious diseases to cancer.

According to him, ensuring food safety in a highly globalized world is much more complicated than expected with challenges consistently arising.The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Director of Research and Statistics highlights the important role of top management and stakeholders in the implementation of quality control and assurance in the fisheries sector.

He emphasizes that through leadership and actions, top management can create an environment where people are fully involved and in which quality management system can operate effectively.

Mr. Austin Wehye proxy for the Chief Facilitator Berchie Asiedu from the Department of Fisheries and Water Resources, UENR/Department of Marine and Fisheries Science, UG, Ghana.

The two day workshop is being sponsored by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) under the theme: Best Practice in Fisheries Management – Case study of Ghana, Nigeria and others.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director General for Technical Services of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Mr. William Y. Boeh, urges the participants to fully utilize the knowledge being acquired to improve the Liberian Fisheries Sector.

Mr. Boeh reiterates that full implementation of quality control and assurance, as well as proper legislation relating to fish processing are cardinal to the sustainable growth and long-term development of the sector. Press Release