Areas shown on map of breakaway regions in northern Somalia known as Puntland. Explosions rocked the area on October 29, 2008., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Somalia: Fishermen in Puntland quit Job due to ‘threats’ from Foreign Vessels
March 23, 2014
Fishermen in Puntland region, Somalia have announced that they have stopped their work after facing ‘’dangerous threats’’ from illegal foreign fishing vessels, who are illegally plundering the semi-autonomous region’s resources.
Most of the fishermen who are based in Alula and Bareda districts of Bari region, said they had faced continuous threats from Yemeni fishing boats who are equipped with weapons.
‘’Our job is in jeopardy… we have been several times chased by them [Yemeni vessel], which are illegally taking our sea resources. And we have submitted our complains to our authority. They are not just robbing our fish. They are ramming our boats and taking our nets,’’ said one of the Fishermen.
Puntland is battling to curb illegal fishing, which is threatening fishing stocks and lives of hundreds of local fishermen.
Earlier this month, Puntland Maritime Police forces seized an illegal foreign fishing vessel together with several Yemeni nationals fishermen for illegally fishing in its waters.
Fisheries and marine Resources minister called an end to illegal foreign fishing in Puntland Sea and warned that if any vessel without license caught will be heavily penalized.
Local Fishermen have continuously complained about foreign trawlers who are doing the illegal fishing and dumping waste. Some fishermen have gone missing while others are tortured by the trawlers who at times spray boiling water from cannons.
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