Somalia Court declines appeal of foreign illegal fishermen

Foreign nationals convicted of illegal and uninterrupted fishing in Somalia's coastline will have to comply with the sentences given by the Lower Court, it has emerged, following the country's landmark judgment in the Appeal's Court.

A few weeks ago, 36 foreign nationals convicted of illegal fishing in Somali waters appealed their respective sentences, with the court allowing them to save themselves from the jaws of the law. It was the first time foreigners were being prosecuted for illegal fishing in the country.

But the Appeals Court in Mogadishu refused to overturn the ruling by Banadir Regional Court which fined the fishermen $11,000 each, totalling $396,000. Further, the Appeals Court also upheld the decision to seize two boats that were being used for illegal fishing.

At the Lower Court, judges imposed a further $30,000 fine got the fishermen over an offence reportedly committed in November 2022. Court documents presented by prosecutors in court indicated that over 24,850 tonnes of fish were confiscated by authorities during the crackdown.

The government reports that 36 foreign fishermen were arrested in April this year. The fishermen are of Iranian and Pakistani origin, countries which have previously been accused of illegal and uninterrupted fishing within Somalia's 3,333 km coastline.

Somalia's government has come up with stringent measures to regulate fishing, which is poised to rake the country millions of dollars from foreign exchange if properly utilized. Data released by the United Nations shows that if properly used, the coastline could help in solving the country's economic instability.

For years, the coastline has reasonably remained stable following the national army and foreign partners' efforts to curb piracy in the Indian Ocean. Somalia has also managed to keep Al-Shabaab at bay following concerted efforts by members of the international community, local militia, and national army.

GAROWE ONLINE