Seven Yemenis Jailed For IUU Tuna Fishing In Somaliland Watersff
13 April 2010
Somaliland Source: Somaliland Press Today in the port city of Berbera a provincial court has sentenced seven Yemeni fishermen each to four year prison terms for illegally fishing tuna in the Somaliland waters. The prosecutor had show evidences proving these fishermen had illegally and knowingly entered the Somaliland waters. The prosecutor had argued that these fishermen had no license to fish in the Somaliland waters, however when the judge asked if that was true the defendants replied “no, your honor we have a license to fish in Somalilandâ€.
The fishermen told the court that they received a fishing license from a man name Abdirisaaq Qayre who at that time was also present in the court. Mr. Qayre told the court that he has no relationship with these men and therefore did not sell them any license to fish in the Somaliland waters.
Somaliland and Somali coastal water is known to have huge numbers of commercial fish and specially the prized Yellowfin tuna which is one of the largest tuna species that can weight over 300 pounds (136kg). Also the fact that there is no effective government in Somali and the growing numbers of pirates in the Somali water is luring more illegal fishers into Somaliland waters where it is known to be safe and free from pirates.
