Former Gardafuu Governor Urges Puntland to Rein in Illegal Fishing Practices

Mohamud Ahmed Aynab: “Puntland Fisheries Ministry officials lack the competence to prevent illegal fishing practices that deplete the sea”.

Garowe (PP News Desk) — The former Governor of Gardafuu Mohamud Ahmed Aynab today criticised Puntland State Ministry of Fisheries for dereliction of duty to curb illegal fishing practices.

“The Fisheries Ministry has failed in its mandatory duties to protect our marine resources against overfishing. In the past people complained of fishing trawlers coming within 20 km distance of the beach but nowadays fishing boats from Yemen use illegal fishing practices such as the use of outlawed plastic nets and nocturnal floodlights that blind the fish. It is deplorable that the Ministry officials lack the competence to prevent illegal fishing practices that deplete the sea” Aynab told Daljir Radio.

Puntland Post covered the landmark parliamentary exposé on granting illegal fishing licences in the name of Puntland State.

The former Governor of Gardafuu drew the Fisheries Ministry’s attention to a trend that resulted from overfishing “because black fish rather than the white fish is what foreign fishermen catch in our seas”.

Earlier this year Puntland State Parliamentarians exposed longstanding violation of Puntland Fisheries Regulations to issue illegal fishing licenses. Proceeds from fishing licenses issued in the name of Puntland State remain pocketed by undisclosed individuals.

© Puntland Post, 2022