Puntland Maritime Police forces have seized an illegal foreign fishing vessel together with several fishermen for illegally fishing in its waters, an official has confirmed.
The Deputy Mayor of Alula district, Ali Salah told Journalists that the vessel was captured on Monday with Yemeni fishermen who were on board. The fishermen are now in a police custody and are expected to be taken to the court for trial.
He added that the forces also apprehended two Somali mercenaries who were guarding the boat.
‘’ Our marine forces conducted an Operation in which they managed to seize this illegal fishing boat. It got a trawl which can deplete all the fish in the whole area just in few hours,’’ he said.
Puntland is battling to curb illegal fishing, which is threatening fishing stocks and lives of hundreds of local fishermen.
Last month, Fisheries and marine Resources minister called an end to illegal foreign fishing in Puntland Sea and warned that if any vessel without license caught will be heavily charged.
Local Fishermen have continuously complained about foreign trawlers who are doing the illegal fishing and dumping waste. Some fishermen have gone missing while others are tortured by the trawlers who at times spray boiling water from cannons.
Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa with 3,330 KM. Since the central government was overthrown in 1991, foreign fishing trawlers began illegal fishing and ships from big companies started dumping waste off the coast of the lawless country.
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