by Dr. Ali Said Faqi
Sunday May 28, 2023
Somalia has a vast coastline of more than 3,300 km, the longest in the
continent of Africa, which could make it a significant player in the blue
economy. The blue economy encompasses a
range of economic activities that are related to the oceans, seas, and coastal
areas. These activities include fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, and
renewable energy, among others. Somalia
has a wide variety of fish species including tuna, mackerel, bream, mullet,
snapper, grouper, etc. Also, the country
has beautiful beaches and coral reefs, they could turn into a thriving tourist
destination. There is a potential to develop these sectors and generate
significant revenues, but the country is facing significant political and
security challenges that are hindering its ability to harness the potential of
its marine resources. These include
illegal fishing, overfishing, and limited infrastructure.
Illegal Fishing
Illegal fishing is a significant challenge for Somalia's blue economy.
Foreign vessels often fish in Somali waters without permission and deplete the
country's fish stocks.
Somalia has been plagued by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU)
fishing for many years. The country's weak governance, lack of effective
fisheries management, and the presence of foreign fleets have contributed to
the problem. Some of the countries that have been accused of illegally fishing
in Somali waters include:
1. China - Chinese fishing fleets have been accused of illegally fishing
in Somali waters, and there have been reports of Chinese vessels using banned
fishing gear and catching endangered species.
2. Taiwan - Taiwanese vessels have also been accused of illegal fishing
in Somali waters, and there have been reports of Taiwanese vessels using
illegal fishing gear and violating fishing regulations.
3. Spain - Spanish vessels have been caught illegally fishing in Somali
waters, and there have been reports of Spanish boats using banned fishing gear
and catching endangered species.
4. South Korea - South Korean fishing fleets have been accused of illegal
fishing in Somali waters, and there have been reports of Korean vessels using
illegal fishing gear and violating fishing regulations.
5. Yemen - Yemeni vessels have been caught illegally fishing in Somali
waters, and there have been reports of Yemeni boats using banned fishing gear
and catching endangered species.
6. Iran- Iranians have also been accused of illegal fishing in Somali
waters. Iranian fishing vessels have been caught illegally fishing in Somali
waters, and there have been reports of Iranian vessels using banned fishing
gear and catching endangered species. In 2017, Somali authorities seized an
Iranian fishing vessel for illegal fishing in Somali waters.
7. Egypt- Egyptian fishing vessels have also been accused of illegal
fishing in Somali waters, and there have been reports of Egyptian boats using
illegal fishing gear and violating fishing regulations. In 2019, Somali
authorities seized an Egyptian fishing vessel for illegal fishing in Somali
waters.
These countries, among others, have contributed to the overfishing and
depletion of fish stocks in Somali waters, leading to serious ecological, economic,
and social consequences for the country.
It is difficult to accurately estimate the financial loss caused by
illegal fishing in Somalia due to the lack of available data. However,
according to a 2018 report commissioned by the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), illegal fishing in Somalia is estimated to cost the country
between $25 million and $30 million annually.
What should Somalia do to combat illegal fishing?
Combating illegal fishing in Somalia requires a multi-faceted approach
involving various stakeholders including the government, local communities, and
international organizations. Here are some strategies that could be effective:
1.
Enhancing surveillance and monitoring:
The Somali government should enhance its surveillance and monitoring
capabilities to detect illegal fishing activities. This includes investing in
technology such as satellite tracking, automatic identification systems (AIS),
and other remote sensing technologies.
2.
Security surveillance: Somali naval forces should patrol and
increase security surveillance efforts to combat illegal fishing. By combating
illegal fishing Somalia cannot only boost its economy but also contribute to
the global effort to protect fish stocks and ensure sustainable fishing
practices.
3.
Strengthening the rule of law: The Somali
government must strengthen its legal and regulatory framework to combat illegal
fishing. This includes laws to prevent and prosecute illegal fishing, illegal licensing,
and registration of vessels, and monitoring and surveillance of fishing
activities.
4.
Engaging local communities: Local
communities should be engaged in the fight against illegal fishing. This
includes educating them on the impact of illegal fishing on their livelihoods
and the environment and encouraging them to report any illegal fishing
activities they observe.
5.
International cooperation: International
community can play a major role by providing technical and financial assistance
and enhancing international cooperation to prevent illegal fishing vessels from
operating in Somali waters. Somalia can enter a joint effort with the USA or
the EU to prevent illegal fishing in Somalia. Somalia can also enter in
agreement with the European Union’s Common Fishery Policy and the Pacific Island’s
Forum Fisheries agency, that work to coordinate efforts and promotes
sustainable fishery practices.
The question of taking these countries to the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) in the Hague is plausible. Somalia has the right to bring a case against
countries that engage in illegal fishing in its waters at ICJ, provided that
the country in question has recognized the jurisdiction of the ICJ. However,
bringing a case to the ICJ can be a lengthy and expensive process and it may
not guarantee a favorable outcome. Therefore, Somalia should continue to work
on implementing effective measures to combat illegal fishing and engage in
diplomatic efforts to address the issue with the countries involved.
Dr. Ali Said Faqi
[email protected]