By By: The People News
The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), working with maritime-sector stakeholders and with backing from Conservation International (CI), has rolled out Liberia’s Marine Spatial Plan (MSP), a major policy framework aimed at improving ocean governance and conserving the nation’s marine and coastal environments.
The official unveiling took place at LiMA’s Congo Town headquarters and drew participation from a wide range of government institutions and partners, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), academic institutions, and other key stakeholders.
Opening the program, LiMA’s Director of Marine Environmental Protection, Bohmensahn B. Yuan, characterized the launch as a milestone in Liberia’s efforts to responsibly manage its ocean resources. He noted that the moment calls for intentional action to preserve the ocean, which he described as central to the country’s long-term development and prosperity.
Also delivering remarks, John F. Harvey, Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Vessels Registration and Safety, highlighted Liberia’s extensive coastline and abundant marine resources, stressing their importance to food security and economic advancement. He explained that sustaining these resources over time requires an integrated, forward-looking approach to marine management.
According to Harvey, the MSP outlines key technical and operational components—ranging from data gathering and legal review to stakeholder engagement, marine zoning, and monitoring—that will shape how Liberia governs its ocean space in the future. He reiterated LiMA’s commitment, alongside NaFAA and other collaborators, to a transparent, science-based, and inclusive rollout of the plan, with active involvement from coastal communities.
Representing Conservation International, Country Director Momodu Kemokai described the MSP’s launch as a significant step toward stronger ocean governance, particularly for coastal populations whose livelihoods are closely tied to healthy marine ecosystems. He said the plan offers a clear, evidence-based guide for managing competing ocean uses while ensuring long-term ecological health and productivity.
Kemokai acknowledged the support of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the Embassy of Sweden, the European Union, and other partners for providing scientific resources and technical assistance that contributed to the development of the MSP. He reaffirmed CI’s continued commitment to supporting the Government of Liberia and coastal communities in implementing the plan, noting that effective execution would improve fisheries management, strengthen livelihoods, restore coastal habitats, enhance investor confidence through regulatory clarity, and build national resilience.
Officials and representatives from NaFAA, LPRA, LPRC, the University of Liberia, and the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the need for ongoing capacity building and broad-based participation to ensure the plan reflects stakeholder interests and delivers meaningful benefits to communities across Liberia’s coast.
