By: Christiana Mabanda
Margibi-Lorpu Kerkulah and the other ladies carry out weekly fishery activities from rivers to swamps. Ma Lorpu has relied on fishing for food, cash, and other essentials of life for many years.
“If I do not do this thing, how will my grandchildren survive? Ma Lorpu said, “Their parents are nowhere to be found, I am the only one they know and I can’t leave them to die of hunger.”
The fishing industry employs 60 million women globally, contributing 10% to a nation’s GDP. It is crucial for coastal populations, particularly in Liberia, where fish provides animal protein and income for around 33,000 people.
“You can’t do it alone, it’s something you need to do together or else you will not realize anything,” Ma Lorpu said.
Fish farming is a specific kind of aquaculture, which is the managed raising and harvesting of aquatic life, including fish, crabs, and mollusks. Liberia’s aquaculture industry is still relatively young, producing about 1,000 tons annually. Approximately 300 small-scale fish growers in the nation manage 1,700 ponds across 114 hectares. Throughout the past five years, this industry has attracted a lot of donors. NAFAA now manages 1,704 ponds across two hatcheries maintained in Bomi and Grand Gedeh counties, employing 300 fish farmers.
“The cold storage fish is very expensive and they cannot afford it. Martha Joe “I sell some of the fish to help with the family’s upkeep.”
Tawah Saah is another rural fisherwoman who explained that she can’t do away with fishing because it has helped her in many ways since the death of her children’s father in 2021.
“I’m not willing to leave this fishing business because it’s more like my husband”, Tawah narrates.
The Farmington River is the major river in the lower part of Margibi that houses many fishers mostly women.
Mrs. Harrison Grisgby Grimes is the head of the rural fisherwomen. She outlines some of the importance of fishing to the women.
“Rural fishing has significant economic and food security values. Grimes said, “It provides employment and income opportunities for local communities.”
In terms of food security, Madam Grimes mentioned that rural fishing plays a crucial role in ensuring a sustainable supply of fresh fish for local consumption.
She explained that it provides a source of protein and essential nutrients for the local population, especially in regions where alternative sources of animal protein may be limited.
“Fishing holds great importance for women themselves as it can provide them with income and empowering opportunities adding that they often play a critical role in the fishing industry including processing and marketing the catch,” Grimes said.
This story was produced under the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) Mentorship Program. Funding was provided by USAID through Internews, under Year 3 of its Media Activity Program.
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