Technical Efficiency Analysis of Coastal Small-Scale Fisheries in Liberia

The coastal fisheries in Liberia comprise small-scale Kru and Fanti low technology canoes open boats, as well industrial trawlers. At the end of war 2003, foreign trawlers dominated Liberia. After war, fleet declined rapidly from 60 2004 to 15 2010. Over same period local grew <400 over 2400 motorized boats increased <200 about 800. Since 2010, when government established a six nautical mile inshore exclusion zone, has continued decline, Fantis have remained fairly constant, but expand, reaching 3800 by 2019. This paper analyzes technical efficiency productivity SSF fleets Data were collected 46 randomly chosen 86 boats. There is considerable difference between terms quantities inputs used output produced. Mean was 0.53, while for it 0.70, indicating inefficiencies scope improvement. Vessel length skipper’s age are two main factors significantly influencing younger operators (≤40 years) using newer smaller dugout (≤6.1 m) more efficient than older fishers larger canoes, opposite true Fantis. inefficient vessels among on average they profitable. However, design these offers limited introduce improved fishing technology. To address current technological regress increase fisheries, recommended that Liberian explore new harvesting technologies such fiberglass reinforced plastic fisheries.