A special committee comprising legal experts and environmental professionals has been constituted to develop the requisite legal instruments that will govern activities in Liberia’s emerging blue economy subsectors.
By Blue Africa News
The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has begun developing new legal and regulatory safeguards to guide emerging activities, including shipbuilding, sand mining and other subsectors within the country’s maritime domain.
The efforts come as the West African country positions its maritime sector for greater investment, industrial growth and employment opportunities.
Spearheaded jointly by LiMA’s legal services and marine environmental protection departments, the new initiative is aimed at ensuring that the expansion of Liberia’s maritime economy is matched by strong regulatory frameworks that protect the marine environment and promote responsible and sustainable development.
According to LiMA, a special committee comprising legal experts and environmental professionals has been constituted to develop the requisite legal instruments that will govern activities in the emerging subsectors.
Speaking on the initiative during a recent meeting, the Commissioner and CEO of LiMA, Neto Zarzar Lighe said the Authority is committed to creating a regulatory environment that will allow the maritime sector to grow in a responsible and sustainable manner.
“As we expand Liberia’s maritime sector and open the door to new investments and employment opportunities, we must also ensure that this growth is properly regulated,” he said.
“Our responsibility is to put the necessary legal safeguards in place today so that the opportunities we create do not become environmental or economic challenges tomorrow. Sustainable maritime development must be guided by strong laws, clear standards and responsible practices.”
Augustus S. Karr, the Director of Legal Services at LiMA said the special committee was established under the direction of the Commissioner and CEO, charged with developing comprehensive regulatory frameworks capable of addressing potential risks associated with emerging maritime activities.
The committee’s work, the director noted, is intended to establish clear legal requirements and safeguards for operators while protecting Liberia’s marine ecosystems from activities that could have adverse environmental consequences, noting that the development of the instruments is particularly important as Liberia explores opportunities to expand activities across the maritime domain.
“The process will not end with the drafting of the proposed regulations. Stakeholder participation will be an important component of the exercise,” he added.
Upon completion of the draft legal instruments, LiMA will convene a consultative workshop involving relevant stakeholders to review the proposed regulations, solicit technical input and ensure broader ownership of the frameworks.
“The outcome of the stakeholder consultations will subsequently inform further review of the draft instruments by the Commissioner and heads of relevant institutions before they are submitted to the LiMA board of directors for consideration and approval.”
The initiative forms part of LiMA’s broader efforts to strengthen Liberia’s maritime governance architecture, and ensure that the country’s maritime resources are developed in a manner that supports economic growth, environmental protection, investment and sustainable employment opportunities for Liberians.
According to the Liberia Development Dashboard, more than half of Liberia’s approximately 5.9 million people live along the country’s more than 560km coastline, with their survival and well-being directly linked to the ocean. However, the country’s blue economy faces severe hurdles, including rampant marine pollution, illegal industrial fishing, and degraded coastal infrastructure.
The proposed regulatory safeguards come amid calls for stronger governance and enforcement across Liberia’s marine sector.
Nathaniel Kollie, in research published by the New England Aquarium, recommended strengthening existing regulations and enforcement mechanisms to promote sustainable fishing practices and protect small-scale fishermen and fishmongers.
Kollie also called for greater awareness among fishmongers, fish traders and consumers to help them understand their rights and advocate for fairer policies, while urging improved market access and infrastructure for small-scale fish catches.
The researcher further highlighted the need for fishmongers and cold-storage facilities to operate effectively and equitably in order to strengthen local food security and livelihoods.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News
