Monday November 6, 2017
FILE PHOTO
Mogadishu (HOL) - A court in Central Somalia's Galmudug State has sentenced three Yemeni nationals to jail terms and fines for illegally fishing in Somalia's territorial waters.
The three-men crew received two years jail term along with fines of $2000 each. Galmudug coastal guards confiscated the trawler on October 2nd after the fisherman were caught deep in Somali waters.
The lower court in Galkayo imposed $50,000 on the operators of the boat. The judge warned that if the owner of the boat fails to pay the fine, the boat will be seized by the local authorities.
“If the owner fails to pay the fine, the boat will be confiscated by the authority,” said judge, Mohamed Jama Dirshe.
The court also ordered that the ill-gotten fish be handed over Galmudug authorities.
Speaking to the media after the verdict, Galmudug minister for Ports, Mohamed Adam Qalabhor commended Galmudug coastal guards for the their commitment to secure Somalia's waters.
“Sunday's court outcome demonstrates Galmudug's strong stance on those attempting to steal out natural sources,” said Qalabhor.
Somalia's regional states are battling to illegal fishing boats that deplete Somalia’s fishing stocks.
Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa with over 3000 KM.
Since the central government was overthrown in 1991, foreign fishing trawlers began illegal fishing and ships from big companies started dumping waste off the coast of the lawless country.
Last month, an Iranian captain of a fishing boat was shot dead by Puntlant Maritime Polic Forces after being suspected if fishing illegally.