Mereja.Forum

[AbyssiniaLady]

The impact of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing on Somalia's economy.



At 3,333 kilometers, Somalia has the second longest coastline in Africa after Madagascar (1,200 km along the Gulf of Aden and 2,133 km along the Indian Ocean). The country’s declared 200 nautical mile (nm) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers 1,165,500 Km2 . As per the provisions of the Law of the Sea, Somalia is responsible for managing fisheries within this zone.

the vastness of Somalia’s maritime zone makes patrolling and surveillance for fisheries enforcement difficult and the EEZ is much larger than Somalia’s land area of 637,540 km2. As a result, Somalia has enormous potential to harness its marine resources to develop fisheries. If fully utilized, and with political stability, these resources could have a positive economic impact on the country.

Marine resources in Somalia have the potential to increase local seafood consumption, create products for export substitution and redouble efforts to transform the means of production for exports.

These opportunities provide new possibilities to create jobs, improve people’s nutrition and increase Somalia’s foreign exchange.The region is rich in maritime resources thanks mainly to the upwelling of deep nutrient rich waters to the surface. This explains the irony of food insecurity in a region of plenty.

Foreign vessels fishing illegally in Somali waters can be divided into two types: regional and international. Regional vessels come from (Seychelles, Tanzania, Kenya owned and operated by European companies), Kuwait, Egypt, Iran, Bahrain, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen (Schelbey and Rosenau, 2013). They usually operate within Somalia’s 12 nm territorial seas and are often visible from Somali coastal villages. They may interact with Somali fishermen, and some apparently buy fish from artisanal fishermen, who transship their catch at sea.

These vessels fish so close to the shore that they compete with local artisanal fishermen for resources and destroy nets of local fishermen. They often engage in bottom trawling thereby destroying vital habitats and depleting fish stocks.

International vessels come from China, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, France, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Iceland, Greece, Poland, Estonia, Italy, Belize, Panama, Honduras and Russia. Most fish within Somalia’s 200-nm EEZ waters (Schelbey and Rosenau, 2013).

These vessels have limited interaction with coastal communities, but some acquire counterfeit Somali fishing license. The list of illegal fishing vessel flag states violating Somali waters is almost double those listed by the fishermen interviewed in this study. It is difficult for Somali fishermen to identify the origin as an illegal fishing vessel. These vessels use all means to disguise their identity because they are violating international agreements.

It is difficult to estimate what annual loss these IUU vessels from neighboring and distant nations cause to Somalia. Estimates range from US$ 500 million to over US$900 million, In addition to revenue loss, illegal fishing vessels cause overfishing, reduce fish stocks, affect local catches, harm marine environment and destroy communities as they lose opportunities to catch, process and trade fish. As the market value a particular fish increases, so do the chances of IUU fishing for that fish because profit from selling it increases. Most fish that are IUU fished have diminished stocks.

IUU fishing is associated with large amounts of by catch through the targeting of highly priced species and the flouting of regulations on equipment.

The most tangible economic impact of IUU fishing on Somalia is the direct loss of value of fish catches that could benefit the fishing communities and the nation. In addition to loss of national income, illegal fishing causes losses of employment in fishing and post-harvest fish handling, landing fees, license fees, taxes and other revenues payable by legal fishing companies. Indirect harm of IUU fishing to Somalia also includes loss of income and employment in other sectors and activities in the supply chain upstream (fishing gear, boats and equipment, etc.) and downstream (fish processing and packaging, marketing and transport, etc.) from the fishing operation itself (MRAG, 2005).


As IUU fishing vessels are constantly fearful of being spotted, they exploit resources irresponsibly. They have damaging impacts on target species, marine ecosystem and vulnerable species such as coral reefs, dugongs and turtles, whose catches are mitigated by regulations on legitimate fishing practices. This negatively affects ocean productivity, biodiversity and ecosystem's resilience, leading to a reduction in food security for artisanal fishermen and to future catches.

Lost Value to IUU Fishing

The Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG) carried out a study in 2005 for UK’s Department of International Development to estimate the annual value of illegal fishing in Somalia, The MRAG study showed that in one year (2003-2004) Somalia lost close to $ 500 million to IUU fishing (Figure 5).

Sources, oceana.org

[AbyssiniaLady]

Stranded Indian fishermen brought back from Somalia.
November 13,2020 | Source: The Hindu

The Central Government of India and the State Government of Tamil Nadu informed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that eight Tamil fishermen who were stranded in Somalia had been brought back to India. Recording the submission, the court closed the petition.

A Division Bench of Justices K. Kalyanasundaram and T. Krishnavalli closed the petition filed by G. Theeran Thirumurugan who sought a direction to the Centre and the State to rescue fishermen Chitiravel, Seran, Viswanathan, Muthukrishnan, Manimaran and Prabu from Ramanathapuram district, Suresh from Nagapattinam district and Subbu from Sivaganga district who were stranded in Somalia for the past one year.

The petitioner said the fishermen were engaged in fishing in Somalia for a very little pay and treated badly by their employers.

Source: The Hindu.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Foreign interference results in the theft of resources and threatens Somali food-sovereignty.

A decade old report, by a concerned Spanish NGO.


The EU is in fact stealing considerably more money from Somalia than it is giving in the form of humanitarian aid.

According to the Un Food and Agriculture Organization (Fao), in 2005 there were some 700 fishing vessels in Somali waters illegally and without regulations. The High Seas task Force raises this figure to 800. many were European, and among them, many were Spanish. regional groups informed the Fao that in some places the catch of commercially valuable species may have been 300% the permitted levels. these vessels, which are calculated to have made more than 450 millions dollars in fish from Somalia each year, neither compensated the local fishermen, nor paid taxes or royalties, nor did they respect the conservation and environment regulations of regulated fishing. It is believed that among the vessels involved in this practice, the European union vessels alone extracted from the country more than five times the value of their aid to Somalia each year.

Un Panel of experts on Somalia:“ the once thriving Somali fisheries industry has deteriorated into a “free for all” among the world’s fishing fleets. For over a decade, hundreds of vessels from various member States have continuously fished Somali waters in an unreported and unregulated manner, as documented in numerous reports on the subject. this has had far-reaching consequences and may already have had a disastrous effect on the sustainable management of Somali marine resources”

Spanish fishing on the Somali coasts

The Somali coasts is vital for the Spanish tuna fishing fleet, Shipowners and fishers agree on the enormous difficulties that abandoning the coastline of Somalia would represent, despite the threat of Somali pirates. there are no alternative fishing grounds for catching the species of tuna that interest the transforming industry. as we have already noted, the fishing agreements between the European Union and West African make the West Africa Atlantic Ocean less profitable, in terms of tuna, than the “free for all” Somali waters.

An example Illegal Spanish fishing in Somali waters: Speech of José ramón Beloki guerra (Spanish politician member of the Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ / PNV)):

“On the 3rd of november 2005 a Bermeo tuna fishing ship, the Playa de aritzatxu, was chased and harassed for hours by several pirate craft while fishing 170 miles off the coast of Somalia” [The Exclusive Economic Zone of Somalia border is at 200 nautical miles.] There has never been a legitimate regulated fishing agreement between Spain and Somalia.

As a result of the nutrient-rich water upwelling from the depths of the northern Indian Ocean, the coast of Somalia is recognized as one of the five richest fishing zones of the world. Previously relatively unexploited, it has been ravaged and poisoned during the last two decades. The collapse of the Siad Barre government in 1991 and the ensuing Somali civil war meant that there was no central government or institution left to protect Somalia’s coastal waters. With the disintegration of the Somali Navy and Police Coastguard services the abundant marine and fisheries resources provided a juicy target for foreign commercial fishing trawlers.

According to a report of the Norwegian institute for urban and regional research, It is thus difficult to understand why coalition partners in the international fleet would allow countries such as Spain to lead international operation when there is wide belief among Somalis that Spanish fishers are fishing illegally in Somali waters. Spain has also been accused unofficially by the Atalanta officials interviewed for this report for unilaterally protecting illegal fishers by dispatching vessels from the Atalanta operation, and this, true or not, should be taken seriously”.

Sources.
Centre d’estudis Barcelona
Authors: Loretta P. Martín, Teresa de Fortuny and Xavier Bohigas.
the full report in Spanish, in Catalan and in English.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Old French article.




The dirty polluted cold brown sea waters around Europe have virtually no fish left, So European fishing vessels must seek alternatives and the alternatives is Somalia's tuna-rich waters and so fishing in Somali waters is the only way for many European fishing companies owners to make a living, In the meanwhile, Somalia loses between $500 million to 1 billion dollars worth of seafood per year to Europeans and Asians illegal fishing vessels who use Victoria port Seychelles as transshipment base.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Oman takes decisive port measures to block suspect fishing vessels.

Old article, By EJF Staff



The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) today praised Oman for closing its ports to vessels suspected of engaging in Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Somalia. The step follows Oman’s ratification of the Port State Measures Agreement, an international measure designed to stop IUU fish reaching markets.

During 2014, four vessels flagged to Korea were observed by EJF, using satellite tracking technology, fishing in Somali waters close to shore. The vessels - named Ixthus 7, Ixthus 8, Ixthus 9 and Baek Yang 37 - used modern port facilities in Salalah, Oman to periodically land their product.

Upon investigation by EJF and Korea, it was not possible to establish with certainty the legality of their activities. As a result, in late 2014 Korea proactively applied a ‘precautionary’ approach to the management of its fleet, barring its vessels from fishing in areas not governed by clear fisheries regulations. Korea also stopped certifying catch from the vessels, meaning they were unable to legally send their product to the lucrative EU market.

As a result, the vessels left the Korean registry, claimed to change ownership and gave themselves new names (Haysimo 1 and 2 and Butilayo 1 and 2).

Now claiming to have a Somali flag, the vessels turned off the mandatory technology that allows remote tracking and apparently continued to operate in Somalia and use Salalah to land their fish. They were joined by two other trawlers, Poseidon that had also recently left the Korean registry, and Al-Amal.

However, after correspondence between the Federal Government of Somalia and Oman, the latter has taken the decisive step of closing its ports to the three of these vessels while they were heading towards Salalah to offload their catch. Officials from Somalia had written to Oman that the vessels’ supposed Somali flag was invalid and that Poseidon did not have any license to fish in the country.






Well done Oman

Countries like Japan and South Korea allow their fishing companies to enrich themselves by stealing Somalia’s marine resources.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Kenyan Crew Mistreated on IUU Listed MARWAN 1

By Stop Illegal Fishing:10th Dec, 2020


(2020 Photos from EUNAVFOR patrols during 2019 and 2020 show the MARWAN 1 fishing in the Somali exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Photo analysis confirms)

In April 2019 an unlicensed Kenyan shipping agent recruited thirteen crewmembers to work on the fishing vessel MARWAN 1 in Somalia. The MARWAN 1 was confirmed through photographs taken during EUNAVFOR patrols to be the previously named CHAICHANACHOKE 8 and subsequently AL WESAM 4, an Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) listed vessel with recorded offences related to human trafficking and illegal fishing.





The agent, Seaport Operations Limited is not listed among the five recruitment agencies licensed to recruit and place maritime workers on behalf of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA). They also failed to deposit the names of those recruited with the KMA and Seafarers Union of Kenya (SUK), a requirement of Kenyan law. Seaport Operations human resources director was Andrew Mwangura a former Secretary General of the SUK, at the time a well-known and trusted person among fishers and seafarers in Kenya.

The crew travelled to Bossaso, Somalia to board the MARWAN 1, once on board they were subjected to poor treatment, working up to 20 hours a day, deprived of food and medical treatment, and living and sleeping in the open. “We never knew peace. Right from day one when we embarked on the fishing voyage, things did not add up,” said Mittau Makau, who was working as bosun on MARWAN 1.

A confrontation between the Captain and crew led to them being deprived food for two days, threats of being locked in the cold store, and that all Kenyan crew would be shot. Recalling the experience Mohamed Abdalla Juma said, “As soon as Marwan 1 left anchorage and began to fish trouble started. The captain and the first mate expected us to work 24-hours without a break. When we refused to work in the minus fifty degrees celsius cold storage without proper clothing we were threatened with an AK-47 assault rifle and denied food.”

Another crewmember, Omar Gakurya reports being confronted, slapped and threatened with a gun by his employer on board the ship. “At one time the employer ordered that all the food that had been prepared for us be thrown away as he brandished a gun. We worked under deplorable conditions on board the ship.”

Unable to contact Seaport Operations, the crew placed a distress call to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in Kenya. With assistance from the Kenyan ambassador to Somalia a rescue operation was organised. They were forced to disembark the MARWAN 1 away from a designated port and the crew travelled through rough waters on a small vessel. On reaching land they had a nine-hour journey through Al Shabab controlled territory before reaching Garowe.

Despite the successful voyage of the MARWAN 1 that landed a record 275 tons of fish including 20 tons of prawns, when the Kenyan crew finally received some wages, after deductions these were between USD 450-500 per crew for four months work. This only allowed the crew to buy airfares to return to Kenya. On arrival back in Kenya after their difficult and dangerous journey the KMA warned that stern action would be taken against unlicensed and unregistered recruitment agents. Though to date it appears that no action has been taken against Seaport Operations.

The MARWAN 1 is still operational, fishing in the Somali EEZ outside northeastern region and calling in port in Yemen. Somalia northeastern region has in recent years become a haven for illegal fishing vessels causing regional and international concern.

All port States are asked to be on alert for the MARWAN 1, which is regarded as high-risk and a priority for inspection.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Chinese expert helps Djibouti develop marine fishery industry.

By Li Kaizhi, December 31, 2020


The market of Tadjourah in Djibouti was bustling with customers busy buying seafood in a morning in March 2018. However, the crowd also had some unfamiliar faces. Yang Guoquan, a Chinese fishery expert who had just arrived in the East African country, was conducting a research there with his colleagues, accompanied by Make Mohamed Ahmed, a technician with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Animal and Maritime Resources of Djibouti.

They saw a blue grouper weighing about 30 kg at a stall. "Make, is it a male or a female?" Yang asked. Make fiddled with the fish for a while but couldn't figure out. The vendor didn't know either.

Yang picked up a small wooden stick, pointing to the excretory holes in the fish's abdomen. "Ones with three holes are female and with two holes are male," Yang said. "This fish is six years old by the way." After hearing this, the crowd spontaneously applauded him.

"At home, people wouldn't think much of it, but here, such knowledge is little known," Yang told ChinAfrica. According to Yang, Djibouti's marine resources have great potential for development.

Fate and focus

Djibouti is located in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, the gateway of the Suez Canal. Its annual average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius.

Yang, 55, hails from Hainan Province in south China that has a coastline of nearly 2,000 km and abundant marine resources. He has been engaged in marine fishery for more than 30 years. Before coming to Djibouti, he worked at a company mainly focusing on artificial propagation and breeding of marine fishes.

On March 15, 2018, he set foot in Djibouti as part of an expert team dispatched by the Chinese Government to aid the local agricultural development. "To be honest, my family was a little worried when I signed up for this program because of the unfamiliar environment and language. I am glad they respect my decision," Yang said.

Djibouti's agriculture accounts for about only 3 percent of its GDP, and its fresh water resources are extremely scarce. The average annual marine production is less than 2,500 tons due to low productivity and efficiency.

"Djibouti's marine fishery industry is hindered by capital shortage and outdated technologies," Yang said. "Limited by the lack of funds, it has only three fishing terminals with few and relatively simple facilities."

In order to effectively utilize the local marine resource endowment, Yang and his colleagues conducted a preliminary survey and formulated a long-term development plan.

They completed a report on the fishery resources along the Djibouti coastline and proposed a three-dimensional aquacultural development model combining high-level tidal ponds and cages. A total of 10 fish, shrimp and shellfish species suitable for local farming were recommended. The experts also gave suggestions for the planning of the whole industry chain including fish species, breeding, feed, processing and logistics.

In addition, Yang has helped fishery authorities of Djibouti establish contact with some Chinese enterprises to seek their investment and technological cooperation.

Training and pilot

"To give full play to Djibouti's advantages, it's necessary to start from the basic work including appropriate planning and bidding for international fishery development projects," Yang said.

As Djibouti's colleges and universities do not have marine fishery-related majors, its well-trained professionals in this field are inadequate.

Yang organized training sessions, focusing on the basic knowledge. He also visited three fisheries associations and gave lectures on the development of the industry in the world. More than 250 people participated in his training.

"After a training session, Mahmoud Ali, President of the Arta Fisheries Association, told me by phone that his fishermen always couldn't sell their catches before they got rotton," Yang said. This phone call gave him an inspiration to help local people create a sustainable development model of fish farming.

The next day, Yang drove more than 60 km to check the conditions of Arta's equipment. "I suggested them to set up a cage at the depth of 5 meters at the seaside where they live, and later we donated the materials needed to them," Yang said. Not long after, Ali called to thank the Chinese team for their solution, saying it helped increase the monthly income of the fishermen by $56.5.

In Djibouti, China also donated a 2,040-square-meter high-level maricultureal demonstration site. "Production equipment and raw materials such as oxygenerators, power units, diesel pumps, automatic bait throwers and feed were all donated by the Center of International Cooperation Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China," Yang said.

The site is a key agricultural cooperation project between China and Djibouti. During its construction, Mohamed Ahmed Awaleh, Minister of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Animal and Maritime Resources of Djibouti, and Ahmed Darar Djibril, Director of the Fisheries Department of the ministry, made several visits and gave suggestions. They recognized the contributions of the Chinese expert team.

Before the completion of the site, in order to provide a better training platform, the Chinese experts assembled an indoor recirculating aquaculture system.

They bought plastic buckets, PVC pipes and other materials for water storage, and collected cobblestones from rivers outside the city to make water purifiers. The whole process took only 10 days to complete. Even with the outdoor temperature reaching 38 degrees Celsius, it can still operate normally.

Yang returned to Djibouti in October 2020 after a vacation in China. "Although I miss my family very much, I am very pleased to do my best to help African friends increase their fishing ability," he said, adding that he is proud of being able to contribute to the lofty mission of promoting China-Africa agricultural cooperation and building an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

http://www.china.org.cn/business/2020-1 ... 068403.htm

They can't help themselves, typical African.

[AbyssiniaLady]

[AbyssiniaLady]

[AbyssiniaLady]

THE SOMALI MARITIME SPACE


(Central Somalia.)

The Somali maritime space, which wraps around the Horn of Africa from the Gulf of Aden to the Western Indian Ocean, is immense. The coastline stretches from Djibouti to Kenya and the maritime territory claimed in the corresponding exclusive economic zone covers more than 1,165,500 million square kilometres. To put it in perspective, this maritime space is larger than the maritime spaces claimed by Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Egypt, Tanzania and Kenya combined. Nowhere else in the world does such a poor and politically fractured government take responsibility for such a vast maritime area.

In the north, Somali waters encompass approximately half the Gulf of Aden, stretching some 1,200 km from the western border with Djibouti across Somaliland and Puntland toward the island of Socotra. This highly trafficked region is transited by nearly all of the global commerce between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Shipping traffic is heavily concentrated in the west as ships approach the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, but disperses closer to the Arabian Sea in the east. The geopolitical importance of this maritime region is evinced by the presence of French, American, Japanese, and Chinese bases and German, Italian, and Spanish logistic support facilities in nearby Djibouti. Most shipping traffic passes through this region without stopping in northern Somali ports, but most Somali commerce occurs in the northern port cities of Bosasso and Berbera.

The southern portion of the Somali maritime space extends for more than 2,133 km along the northeastern coast of the African continent. This stretch spans the waters off Puntland south toward Jubaland before ending near the border with Kenya. It includes the vital port cities of Mogadishu and Kismayo, but also hundreds of miles of remote, sparsely populated, and poorly governed coastline. Pirates have found sanctuaries in this area. International shipping traffic is less concentrated there than it is in the Gulf of Aden, but enough ships transit the area to support illicit activities like Illegal, unregulated, and unreported foreign fishing.

Sandy beaches form a large part of the coastal environment of Somalia and are particularly important to the sea turtle populations, The coast of Somalia is one of the more important turtle nesting grounds on a global scale.


(Northeastern Somalia.)

Opportunities

Somali waters which are home to more than half of all marine species of the entire Indian ocean, have the potential to be as lucrative as they are vast. Somali maritime claims contain rich fisheries that attract fishing fleets from all over the world. With better fisheries management and more sustainable practices, this area could be a vital source of revenue and food security for the foreseeable future. If Somali authorities can bolster the legitimate fishing economy and end illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing by foreign fleets, the industry could greatly improve coastal livelihoods and potentially offer coastal residents some relief from food shortages.

[AbyssiniaLady]

The first ever batch of imported fish from Somalia have arrived in Ethiopia


(Made in Somalia)

By Bosaso (PP News Desk), Published on 06 February 2021

Puntland State Aviation Minister Ilyas Osman has inaugurated Ethiopian Airlines cargo service to enhance trade relations between Somalia and Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Consular in Puntland Degnachew Yitbarek, Somali and Ethiopian businessmen had attended the ceremony held in Bosaso.

Ilyas commended the initiative to boost trade ties between Somalia and Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Consular said an Ethiopian businessman would arrive in Bosaso to import fish from Bosaso


Fish being exported to Ethiopia.

Fish imported from Somalia have arrived in Ethiopia for the first time.

Source, PP News Desk,

[AbyssiniaLady]

Fishing Vessel COBIJA Exploits Weak States to Escape Sanctions

By Stop Illegal Fishing: 2nd Mar, 2021: FISH-i Africa


(Credits - Photos courtesy of Australia Border Force)

Originally listed as an illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing vessel under its previous name CAPE FLOWER in 2017 the vessel operators have systematically targeted weak port and flag States in an attempt to continue their illegal operations.

COBIJA is believed to be a stateless vessel following de-registration by flag State Bolivia in January 2019. Claims of Somali registration and ownership have been lodged through a bill of sale stating Precision Shipping in Mogadishu being the new owner. It is also stated that the vessel has been flagged without the knowledge of the Federal Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) by the Somalia Maritime Agency (SMA) in Mogadishu.

However, the flagging certificate presented by the owner has been denied by Captain Hassan, Director of the Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport in Somalia. He stated, “Once again we see forged Somali documents being used to get away with illegal fishing. Not only does this undermine global efforts to control and manage fisheries resources in a sustainable manner but it also undermines Somali efforts to be a responsible coastal and flag State.”

On arrival in Mukalla, Yemen in September 2020, COBIJA’s Spanish captain had initially claimed the toothfish had been caught in Puntland and presented Yemeni authorities with a Puntland licence. Issued on the wrong form, with insufficient information and with a forged signature the licence was quickly confirmed as being fake. The fake licence also indicated that COBIJA was registered in Bolivia, but this was confirmed as untrue. Vessel monitoring system (VMS) data supplied by the captain indicated the vessel had been fishing within the exclusive economic zone of the Puntland region of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Commenting on the case Per Erik Bergh, Stop Illegal Fishing, stated, “We are used to seeing document forgery as part of our illegal fishing investigations but the COBIJA case is an extreme example. Poor quality forgeries have been used and the information they contain is not only contradictory but leads to further allegations of illegal fishing. Claims that the fish being offloaded in Yemen were caught in Somali waters

The role of government authorities, inter-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, and international and regional information sharing have contributed to the detention of COBIJA in Yemen. FISH-i Africa members note that it will take further coordinated support and effort to ensure that this vessel, its owners and operators are finally stopped, and they call on all partners to assist to achieve this.


Key events




September 2020: COBIJA is identified by Sea Shepherd at port in Mukalla, Yemen. It is detained and prevented from discharging 228 tonnes of frozen toothfish with a value of approximately USD 4.5 million. The Spanish Captain claims the fish has been caught in Puntland and provides copies of a licence as well as logbook and vessel monitoring system (VMS) data to support this.

October 2020: Puntland authorities state the licence is a forgery. The legitimacy of a letter stating that COBIJA is owned by a Somali citizen and requesting the release of COBIJA so that it can sail to Bossaso for further investigation is unconfirmed. There were also papers presented indicating that the vessel had flagged to Somalia and a temporary registration by the Federal Government of Somalia signed by the ship registrar officer was presented. The Director of Somalia Maritime Authority confirms that claims of Somali registration and ownership are invalid.

How?

The evidence uncovered during FISH-i investigations demonstrates different methods or approaches that illegal operators use to either commit or cover-up their illegality and to avoid prosecution.

• Vessel identity: Name change was made to obscure the illegal history of the vessel.

• Flagging issues: False claims of registration in Bolivia. Flags found on board the vessel indicate persistent attempts to hide their status as a stateless vessel

• Document forgery: Numerous forged documents were used to provide authorization to fish and offload. States with weak governance were targeted.

• Business practices: The ownership of the vessel has been obscured by the use of a Panamanian shell company, and subsequent claims of sale to a Somali registered company.

• Avoidance of penalties: After being IUU listed by SEAFO in 2017 the CAPE FLOWER changed names to COBIJA to hide its status and history.

What did FISH-i africa do?

• Alerted the task force.

• Assisted with confirmation that Somali documents were forgeries.

• Publicised the case using the media and Stop Illegal Fishing website.

• Worked with Somali authorities to identify the source of forged documents.

What worked?

• Air patrols by Australia located COBIJA so that a high-seas inspection could take place.

• Alerts issued by INTERPOL put port States on high alert for the vessel.

• Bolivia provided clear and rapid confirmation of the registration status of COBIJA.

• Information sharing through FISH-i identified the use of fake and forged documents.

What needs to change?

• Port States may need expert support and resources in order to take action against IUU fishing vessels.

• Increased exposure for known IUU fishing vessels and more systematic international information sharing on fishing activity and vessels.

• Photographs of fishing vessels, particularly those involved in illegal practices, need to be made accessible/publicly available.

• Ownership information is critical to making lasting change. Vessel ownership information must be a requirement for vessel registration.

• Improved interagency cooperation linking approval of fishing vessel registration to the fisheries authority.

• Develop anti-corruption mechanisms to limit registration of known IUU fishing vessels by establishing inter-ministerial committees approving registration certificates

• Basic fisheries management training for maritime and port officials to increase awareness of sustainable management of fisheries resources.

FISH-i Investigations

In working together on over forty investigations, FISH-i Africa has shed light on the scale and complexity of illegal activities in the fisheries sector and highlighted the challenges that coastal State enforcement officers face to act against the perpetrators. These illegal acts produce increased profit for those behind them, but they undermine the sustainability of the fisheries sector and reduce the nutritional, social and economic benefits derived from the regions’ blue economy.

FISH-i investigations demonstrate a range of complexity in illegalities – ranging from illegal fishing to fisheries related illegality to fisheries associated crime to lawlessness.

In this case evidence of illegal fishing and fisheries related illegalities were found.

Source stopillegalfishing.com

[AbyssiniaLady]

September 2020: COBIJA is identified by Sea Shepherd at port in Mukalla, Yemen. It is detained and prevented from discharging 228 tonnes of frozen toothfish with a value of approximately USD 4.5 million. The Spanish Captain claims the fish has been caught in Puntland and provides copies of a licence as well as logbook and vessel monitoring system (VMS) data to support this.

Here is one example how much money Somalia is losing every day due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in its territorial waters, Just one South American fishing vessel has illegally caught more than 4.5 million dollars worth of fish in Somali waters in few hours and often sold to Arab criminals in Mukalla, Yemen that then export to Arab countries that are blessed with neither fresh water nor fertile lands.

[AbyssiniaLady]

These Egyptian thieves were caught red handed.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Fisheries statement on Somali authorities jailing, trial of 31 Yemeni fishermen




[01/April/2021]

SANA'A, Apr. 01 (Saba) - The Ministry of Fisheries has expressed its deep regret over the imprisonment and trial of 31 Yemeni fishermen by the Somali authorities.

The ministry said in a statement issued on Tuesday by Saba that it has followed with interest the case of Somali authorities in Puntland imprisoning and prosecuting 31 Yemeni fishermen, confiscating their boats, and forcing them to pay fines of more than $700 per fisherman.

The statement appealed to our brothers in Somalia and in Puntland province to take into account the situation of Yemeni fishermen, who were driven by compelling circumstances beyond their control, namely, that they were directly bombarded by the US-Saudi aggression coalition as soon as they entered Yemeni territorial waters to fish and earn a living.

The statement expressed the hope of the Ministry of Fisheries in Sana'a that the Somali authorities will respond to the release of the fishermen and the surrender of their boats and exempt them from the fines imposed on them in recognition of the conditions experienced by Yemeni fishermen as a result of the continued aggression and blockade.

I.M
resource : Saba

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3134949.htm

Yemenis have been fishing illegally in Somali waters since 1990 because of the overexploited state of fish stocks within their own waters, but Europeans and Asians are among the biggest offenders.

[AbyssiniaLady]

the Government of Somalia has made significant progress toward defining its maritime boundaries.



In recent years, Somalia government has made significant progress toward defining its maritime boundaries. It first declared its territorial sea boundary out to 200 nautical miles (370 Kilometers) in 1972. In 1989, Somalia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Somalia officially declared its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in 2014, In addition to declaring its EEZ in 2014, Somalia's government extended its territorial waters from 200 nautical miles (370 Kilometers) to 350 nautical miles (648.2 Kilometers) from its coastal baselines.

However, Somalia can claim even further than 350 nautical miles (648.2 Kilometers) in the Indian Ocean



The protection zone that protects Somali coastal fishermen and in which foreign fishing vessels are not permitted to enter is up to 24 nautical miles (44.45 kilometers). Only Somali fishermen are allowed to fish within 24 nautical miles (44.45 kilometers). This protection of coastal fishing grounds is beneficial to Somali communities that rely on fishing. Though it is clear that the nearshore areas are reserved for Somali fishers by Somali law, foreigner vessels are known to fish within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and even within the areas reserved for Somali fishers. The designation of boundaries does not prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Although Illegal, Unreported and Unregualted (IUU) has prevailed in the very extensive Somali Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), however given the consistent migration patterns and the Somali upwelling process this goes through perpetual replenishment and thus the fishery resource remained intact. Nature has given Somalia fertile seawater.

Fishing is a highly profitable venture throughout the world, the tuna industry alone is worth US$ 39.3 billion globally.

[kerenite]

the Government of Somalia has made significant progress toward defining its maritime boundaries.



In recent years, Somalia government has made significant progress toward defining its maritime boundaries. It first declared its territorial sea boundary out to 200 nautical miles (370 Kilometers) in 1972. In 1989, Somalia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Somalia officially declared its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in 2014, In addition to declaring its EEZ in 2014, Somalia's government extended its territorial waters from 200 nautical miles (370 Kilometers) to 350 nautical miles (648.2 Kilometers) from its coastal baselines.

However, Somalia can claim even further than 350 nautical miles (648.2 Kilometers) in the Indian Ocean

The protection zone that protects Somali coastal fishermen and in which foreign fishing vessels are not permitted to enter is up to 24 nautical miles (44.45 kilometers). Only Somali fishermen are allowed to fish within 24 nautical miles (44.45 kilometers). This protection of coastal fishing grounds is beneficial to Somali communities that rely on fishing. Though it is clear that the nearshore areas are reserved for Somali fishers by Somali law, foreign vessels are known to fish within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and even within the areas reserved for Somali fishers. The designation of boundaries does not prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Although Illegal, Unreported and Unregualted (IUU) has prevailed in the very extensive Somali Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), however given the consistent migration patterns and the Somali upwelling process this goes through perpetual replenishment and thus the fishery resource remained intact. Nature has given Somalia fertile seawater.

Fishing is a highly profitable venture throughout the world, the tuna industry alone is worth US$ 39.3 billion globally.

The poor egyptians and the poor yemenis have consumed almost all of the fishes in their water areas hence looking further while they have families to feed and as such they trespass the 25 miles (disregarding the international law) and fish in virgin seas such as of somalia and eritrea.


It is fasica today and I say Ruhus fasica to all.

A bonus or mokshish regarding the subject at hand the fish. As I mentioned above, a joke is in order here and it goes....

A lot of yemeni fishes were seen swimming towards eritrea to seek shelter. Once they arrived at the eritrean seashore they saw eri fishes out of the sea enjoying the sunshine at the banks.

The eri fishes ask the yemeni fishes why they are seeking asylum in Eritrea and the yemenis respond by saying because of the round up or GIFFA.

The eritrean fishes responded by saying you unlucky yemenis we feel your pain.

We eri fishes are Lucky here. ITOM ZIGEFUNA ZINEBERU NIRIESOM TEGEFIFOM.
roughly translated: ineza ignan lemegfet yemetu rasachew tegefefu.

[Somaliman]

the Government of Somalia has made significant progress toward defining its maritime boundaries.



In recent years, Somalia government has made significant progress toward defining its maritime boundaries. It first declared its territorial sea boundary out to 200 nautical miles (370 Kilometers) in 1972. In 1989, Somalia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Somalia officially declared its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in 2014, In addition to declaring its EEZ in 2014, Somalia's government extended its territorial waters from 200 nautical miles (370 Kilometers) to 350 nautical miles (648.2 Kilometers) from its coastal baselines.

However, Somalia can claim even further than 350 nautical miles (648.2 Kilometers) in the Indian Ocean

The protection zone that protects Somali coastal fishermen and in which foreign fishing vessels are not permitted to enter is up to 24 nautical miles (44.45 kilometers). Only Somali fishermen are allowed to fish within 24 nautical miles (44.45 kilometers). This protection of coastal fishing grounds is beneficial to Somali communities that rely on fishing. Though it is clear that the nearshore areas are reserved for Somali fishers by Somali law, foreign vessels are known to fish within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and even within the areas reserved for Somali fishers. The designation of boundaries does not prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Although Illegal, Unreported and Unregualted (IUU) has prevailed in the very extensive Somali Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), however given the consistent migration patterns and the Somali upwelling process this goes through perpetual replenishment and thus the fishery resource remained intact. Nature has given Somalia fertile seawater.

Fishing is a highly profitable venture throughout the world, the tuna industry alone is worth US$ 39.3 billion globally.

The poor egyptians and the poor yemenis have consumed almost all of the fishes in their water areas hence looking further while they have families to feed and as such they trespass the 25 miles (disregarding the international law) and fish in virgin seas such as of somalia and eritrea.


It is fasica today and I say Ruhus fasica to all.

A bonus or mokshish regarding the subject at hand the fish. As I mentioned above, a joke is in order here and it goes....

A lot of yemeni fishes were seen swimming towards eritrea to seek shelter. Once they arrived at the eritrean seashore they saw eri fishes out of the sea enjoying the sunshine at the banks.

The eri fishes ask the yemeni fishes why they are seeking asylum in Eritrea and the yemenis respond by saying because of the round up or GIFFA.

The eritrean fishes responded by saying you unlucky yemenis we feel your pain.

We eri fishes are Lucky here. ITOM ZIGEFUNA ZINEBERU NIRIESOM TEGEFIFOM.
roughly translated: ineza ignan lemegfet yemetu rasachew tegefefu.

The joke sounded good until I missed the last part that seemed to conclude it. Therefore, translation is needed for non Amharic/Tigrynia speakers!

[AbyssiniaLady]

From space, there is only one stretch of Indian ocean that lights up at night, the lights beam from thousands of foreigner fishing vessels fishing illegally in Somali waters, Since the West and Asian countries have emptied their own waters, their problem are being exported to Somalia..

Sharks, Tuna, Lobster, Squid, Swordfish, Mackerel, Marlin fish, Sardines, Yellowfin, Longtail, Skipjack, Bigeye tuna, Hammerhead and thousands of other marine species swim in large quantities in Somali Exclusive Economic Zone.

Somalia, a poor country known for its high abundance of large pelagic fish and its diverse tuna samples including the yellowfin, longtail, and bigeye tuna is losing US$ billions worth of fisheries annually.










The European and Asian fishing fleets take one thousand times more fish out of Somali waters than Yemenis fishermen do, but, It's a lucrative business for Yemenis, no wonder Yemenis fishermen flock to Somali waters in their thousands.

Yemenis fishermen in northeastern Somalia.

[AbyssiniaLady]

kerenite

The destructive and anti prosperity Eritrean president has banned Eritrean fishermen from fishing in their own waters since Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 under the pretext of security, Yemenis & Egyptian are now benefiting from Isaias Afwerki backward economic policies.