82 not able to determine the degree to which visible foreign boats were illegal or legal. The
volume of illegally caught fish was also beyond the scope of this study. Fishermen said that most of the foreign fishing was conducted by regional countries, and
especially Iran and Yemen. Oman, India and Kenya were also mentioned, but less frequently. Distant fleets from ChinaTaiwan were mentioned third, and boats from Russia and Spain were
noted, but much less frequently. More than 88 percent of respondents in our survey said that foreign fishing should not be allowed.
6.5 Somali Regulations on Fishing
The federal government passed laws in 1985 requiring the registration and licensing of domestic and foreign fishing vessels and are currently trying to amend this act. Somaliland and
Puntland have recently passed state laws requiring registration, licensing and reporting. The survey examined the fishermen’s knowledge and awareness of such requirements and the
degree to which they were being implemented.
Fishermen said that a number of types of fisheries regulations were in place. The most common regulations were on species restrictions, gear limits and seasonal closures. Area closures and
gear type restrictions were also mentioned, but less frequently. From an enforcement standpoint, restrictions on fish species caught or length and gear can be enforced via shoreline
patrolling and surveillance in addition to sea patrols, which can be more costly and difficult. Seasonal closures of fisheries can be enforced from landing sites as those fish species cannot be
landed during a seasonal closure, and if possession is also banned during a closed period, easier to enforce too. Area closures such as a fishery reserves or marine protected area are popular
tools worldwide and particularly useful for demersal species compared to pelagic species. However, these usually require more costly sea patrols to ensure fishermen do not enter and
fish in restricted areas. This report did not obtain any information on the level of illegal fishing with respect to the various regulations mentioned above, either by domestic or foreign vessels.
That would require more in-depth research beyond the scope of this limited survey.
Overall, the responses indicated a tendency to rely mainly on input controls such as gear limits, seasonal closures and restrictions on certain fish species, and not to rely on output
controls. While output controls are often considered superior approaches to controlling fishing efforts, more work is needed to collect landings data and get vessels and fishermen
registered and licensed. From the findings above, Somalia has a long way to go in putting these preconditions in place.
6.6 Factors that Foster IUU Fishing
Results of the analysis suggest that IUU is mainly due to inadequate surveillance and monitoring, as well as a lack of Somali fishermens knowledge of fishing regulations. While
these findings apply to all sites surveyed, the analysis shows a great deal of regional variability for illegal fishing. This is probably due to reported differences in surveillance, and monitoring as
well as differences in the fishermen’s access to information concerning fishery regulations.
These results suggest that most fishermen in our sample see current rules as legitimate and are therefore unlikely to affect Somali fishermens illegal activities. Areas of potential improvement
83 are: 1 Implementing regulatory framework to maximize benefits of this industry for a large
segment of the fishermen, 2 Adopting non-discriminatory sanctions for violators, and 3 Increasing fishermens involvement in setting fisheries rules through co-management.
6.7 Impacts of IUU Fishing, Piracy and Anti-Piracy Campaigns
Concerning these impact indicators, 71 percent strongly disagreed with the statement that foreign piracy patrols protect foreign fishermen. Sixty eight percent strongly agreed that illegal
fishing impacts livelihoods of fishermen, 81 percent felt strongly that it impacts marine ecosystems, and 82 percent strongly agreed it impacts their catches. Respondents were equally
split on whether piracy restricts where they can fish. Sixty nine percent of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that piracy deters illegal fishing. Seventy seven percent either agreed
or strongly agreed that anti-piracy patrols affect their livelihood. These responses tended to indicate a very negative perception towards illegal fishing and anti-piracy campaigns, and that
these actions have ecological and economic consequences.
6.8 Vulnerability of Fishing Communities and Key Development Challenges
With respect to the responses to a number of indicators concerning the fishing sector and community development issues described above, there are overwhelming numbers that believe
development constraints include a lack of capital, as well as inadequate transportation and fish processing infrastructure. Most felt there were too many fishermen, another sign of overfishing
that is having an impact on incomes and fish catch. Respondents were almost evenly split as to whether too many migrants are affecting fishing. Large numbers agreed that foreign fishing
vessels were taking large amounts of fish, and that there were few fish left. This suggests a perception that both foreign and local fishing are impacting fishing abundance and contributing
to overfishing. Fishermen reported that the economic situation is forcing many to leave the coastal villages. Most believe that waste dumped from foreign vessels is harming the sea, but
we have no evidence of whether this is directly linked to illegal foreign fishing dumping of dead by-catch. Anecdotal reports of coral reef damage from destructive fishing practices were not
verified in this survey, but this does not mean it does not occur. While most feel that no one is in charge of management, they do believe that laws are being successfully enforced. Fishermen
are about evenly split on whether they want their sons to become fishermen. This suggests that large numbers do not see a bright future in this sector, which is not surprising given perceptions
that catches, income and fish are in decline.
84
7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
