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The presence of the anti-piracy task force off the Somali coasts might have minimized piracy but not illegal fishing. This has not been helpful to the local fishing communities. Fishermen reported that their
livelihoods have been negatively impacted both by illegal fishing and by anti-piracy patrol activities. The illegal fishing vessels and anti-piracy patrol navies mistake local fishermen for pirates. The fishermen
alleged that they are shot at by IUU fishing vessels and anti-piracy navies during their usual fishing trips. This has caused them to reduce their fishing trips thus affected their livelihoods.
IUU fishing and piracy are terrible experience for Somalia. The former deprived the country of its fisheries resources and the latter damaged the reputation of the country, ravaged its economy and
exposed its security. They can only be unraveled jointly by Somalia and interested parties, including: the foreign navies in the region, Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean littoral states and relevant
international organizations. In Somalia proper all actors are duty bound to join in responsibly.
The causes of illegal fishing can be addressed, first, by legislating maritime and fisheries laws, taking necessary steps to enforce these laws nationally, and signing international conventions on eliminating
the threat of IUU fishing. The problem of piracy cannot be solved militarily. The root causes must be addressed, including youth employment and peace and security issues. While collaboration of all
stakeholders in the fight to eliminate maritime piracy and IUU fishing is vital, this is a Somali national issue and has to be initiated and led by Somali authorities. While only 21 percent of respondents in our
survey either strongly agree or agree that foreign piracy patrols protected foreign fishers, 74 percent either agreed or strongly agreed that anti-piracy patrols affected their livelihood.
4.6 Reports on IUU Fishing
The governments of Somalia and Somaliland have not yet developed the technical, financial and human resources means to be able to minimize or even stop the intrusion of foreign illegal fishing vessels into
their territorial waters. The situation remains unchanged for over twenty years since the outbreak of the civil war. While the lack of control of Somalia’s territorial waters have led to proliferation of IUU fishing,
there are indications that the situation may be changing. The governments in Somalia and Somaliland are gradually improving their performances and public awareness on the impacts of IUU fishing is rising.
Changes in approach towards IUU fishing in the EU and US markets is also building up pressure on IUU fishing companies and their flag nations to play by international rules. These are positive indicators for
Somali authorities to take stern measures on foreign fishing vessels violating territorial their waters.
It has been reported in the past several months sending messages that foreign IUU fishing is affecting the socio-economic life of the population. It was reported in September of last year that the government
of Puntland State of Somalia cracked down on an upsurge of IUU fishing vessels off the coasts of Somalia. The State President ordered four South Korean trawlers into port following claims that they
broke local laws Aljazeera, 2014.
Early this year on March 31, it was reported that the reduction in piracy has led to the rise of IUU fishing. This rise of illegal fishing is a threat to revive piracy back into Somalia. It was reported that angry
fishermen seized two Iranian owned fishing vessels and 48 sailors on board Reuters, 2015. The report stated that UN and Somali officials were concerned that after three years of break, as a result of the
presence of national navies of over thirty countries, piracy could reemerge if proper action is not taken to curb illegal fishing. In addition to being a threat to national security it is also impacting the economic
wellbeing of fishers. Another report in Garowe Online on May 17 reported the complaints of residents of Northeastern Somalia, including the Mayor. They stated that IUU fishing is affecting their livelihoods.
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5.0 SURVEY INVESTIGATING IUU FISHING
