Puntland Maritime Police forces have seized two illegal Yemeni fishing vessels off the coast of the semi-autonomous region, a senior Commander has confirmed.
According to Puntland Maritime forces commander Abdirizak Diriye, there were 62 Yemeni on the boats thought to be fishermen, with 20 armed Somali men, who were their bodyguards.
He said that the boats were found near Baargal coast in the Bari region.
Colonel Diriye added that all the fishermen will be taken to court for trial.
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.
In March, Puntland Marine forces also seized an illegal Yemen fishing vessel.
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.
Horseed Media
