8 management
committees develop fishery management plans, select fishery management options, summon
panels, conduct hearings and advise authorities on regional fishery matters.
2.3 Proposed Regional Fisheries Management Committees RFMC
Given the length of the coastline of Somalia and Somaliland and lack of easy access by sea and by road
to and from urban centers, it is difficult and costly for the central government to monitor, control and
manage the fisheries resources in the vast stretches of the EEZ.
Based on the federalized system of
government in place in Somalia, it would be fitting for the FGS to devolve some of the management
structures. The suggestion is to apply a co‐management system that is appropriate for the Somali
society and that involves a wide range of representation of regional and local leaders, and the fishing
communities in the management of fisheries resources in their part of the coastal regions. Many
countries apply this type of fisheries management and found it to be effective. The recommendation is
to establish six regional fisheries management committees RFMC. This arrangement can be adapted to
reflect the uniqueness of the Somali society. The suggested committees are:
i. Western Gulf of Aden Regional Fisheries Management Committee
ii. Eastern Gulf of Aden Regional Fisheries Management Committee
iii. Northern Coasts Regional Fisheries Management Committee
iv. Central Coasts Regional Fisheries Management Committee
v. Shebelle Regional Fisheries Management Committee, and
vi. Jubba Regional Fisheries Management Committee
Membership in these committees could vary from region to region depending on the specifics of the
region but membership has to be representative, transparent and democratic. It could include
representatives of the Federal and State fisheries authorities, fishing communities, clanelder
representatives, government agencies active in the marine sector, representatives of fishermen and
fisherwomen associations and private sector and a member of a regional university or a social scientist.
Committees are to be headed by an authority to be nominated by the Federal Minister of Fisheries. For
suggested locations of the proposed regional fisheries management committees, see map ANNEX II.
The jurisdiction of RFMCs extends from the edge of the coasts out to the edge of the Territorial Sea 12
nm. Management of fisheries resources further offshore to the edge of 200 nm EEZ will be the
jurisdiction of a federal agency FSFA established in 2014.
2.4 Decentralization of Fisheries Management
