Somalia: Puntland DC says ready to locally fight illegal fishing, protests called

BAYLA, Somalia, November 5, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Bandar Bayla District Commissioner has pledged that local fishermen will fight against damaging illegal fishing vessels as Puntland Anti-Piracy Agency Director has called for state-wide protests on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Bayla District Commissioner, Saed Adan Ali said in an interview with Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe that locals are running out of patience.

“Puntland Marine Forces aren’t here, we will mobilize ourselves, volunteering to confront illegal trawlers,” he warned, blaming the regional government for failing to protect marine resources from foreign depletion.

Nearby Alula District Commissioner Shire Abdi Ismael has confirmed that Iranian dhow ran aground during Thursday’s interview.

The Iranian vessel was licensed by Alula officials according to Shire.

Outcry  

Illegal fishing has been met with outcry, with Puntland Counter-piracy Directorate calling for mass protests in the wake of the alarming pillage of catches in territorial waters.

Agency Director, Abdirizak Mohamed Dirir said, the disaster, referring to illegal fishing prompted the growing public outcry and planned demonstrations in the coming days.

The call comes as Puntland is gearing up for major conference set to be attended by mayors, district commissioners and civil society.

The meeting would focus on the fishing, mainly practiced by foreign trawlers and potential pirate scourge, if the urgently pressing issue is not addressed at earlier stage.

Puntland will write to Federal Government of Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud about the matter, Dirir noted.

On October 13, Bargal fisherman, Saed Abdirahman Mohamud who has been reliant on fishing for his family’s livelihood for 50 years told Garowe Online correspondent that he now sails farther, approximately 50 miles off the coast to make catches on account of marine resources plundering. 

Also on our website:
Somalia: Fears loom over return of piracy

GAROWE ONLINE