Hargeisa May 4, 2013 (SDN) – Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Abdullah Jama Osman known as “Geeljire”, has described illegal fishing as one of the main challenges facing the fisheries sector in Somaliland. Speaking to reporters at his office today, he said due to rampant illegal fishing practices, coupled with other challenges such as weak surveillance, monitoring and control system, the sector has not been able to realize its full potential. The minister’s speech came after Somaliland coastal guards clashed with illegal Iranian fishing vessels in Sanaag region. The clash reportedly happened as the coast guards tried to prevent Iranian boats from fishing illegally off Somaliland’s east coast. Minister Geeljire has also announced new measures to as a deterrent to foreign fishing vessels in Somaliland territorial waters “The recent confrontations in our territorial waters between our coast guards and four fishing trawlers of Iranian origin is unique because of the nature of the armed and dangerous illegal fishermen who have for the first time which shows that they‘re determined at any cost to loot our national resources,” he said while speaking to the press today “It’s a high time we (Government) introduced stern measures to deter foreign fishing vessels from venturing into our territorial waters without permission in our waters, therefore I want to make one thing clear that we shall use all means in our disposal including the sinking of vessels which fire upon our coast guards,” stated the fisheries minister. Minister Abdullah Geeljire added that the actions of these foreign illegal fishing fleets have seriously violated the laws of the country by adversely impacting fisheries, marine ecosystems, food security and coastal communities living Somaliland. “We shall not relent until we overcome those bent to plunder the wealth of a foreign nation this which amounts to crime against a sovereign nation and the violating international laws by stealing and looting the natural resources of our nation, “said Geeljire.
By: Eng. Abdirisak Ismail Qalinle (Itaqile)
SDN News Desk Hargeisa
