Somalia: Fears loom over return of piracy

BARGAL, Somalia, October 13, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Pirate scourge may soon make comeback if illegal fishing continues at an alarming rate, fishers told Garowe Online.

Fishermen in Bargal coastal town, a small town in Guardafu which was cleansed of piracy activities, are afraid that foreign fishing boats are very likely to spur anger among coastal communities, thusly paving the way for armed robbery and return to the peak of high seas crimes in 2011.

Speaking to Radio Garowe correspondent, Saed Abdirahman Mohamud, a resident of Bargal, who earned his living via fishing for 50 years said, he now needs to sail farther, approximately 50 miles off the coast to make catches.

Iranian and Yemeni trawlers are blamed for the destruction of fishing gears and swift depletion of valuable fish species in territorial waters.

He accused Puntland Government of entering into what appear to be illicit deals with industrial trawlers, pointing finger of blame at Somali nationals on board as well as dormant role of Maritime Police Force.

In 2014, Puntland President labeled annual loss of USD 300m due to illegal fishing a ‘national disaster’ and threatened intruders with legal action.

Anti-Piracy Agency Director, Abdirizak Mohamed Ahmed (Du’aysane) is skeptical towards NATO counter piracy task force.

“If foreign naval vessels leave, pirates will not return but if illegal fishing continuous then it’s clear that piracy activities will make comeback,” Ducaysane said earlier in September.

The northeastern state is preparing to provide policing to maritime lanes against possible resurgence of pirates.

Private company, Somali Security Service (SSS) was granted license to patrol Puntland waters against illegal fishing in late April.

On May 17, Eyl Mayor, Musse Osman Yusuf warned of consequences of overfishing off Eyl coast in an interview with Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe.

Osman unveiled that illegal fishing vessels disrupted economic activities and are gradually becoming a threat to livelihoods.

Under former Puntland President, Abdirahman Mohamed Farole’s incumbency, Puntland enacted Somalia's first-ever Anti-Piracy Law in 2010 and instituted the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), which has bases along Puntland coast and has been renowned for actively fighting against piracy, smuggling activities, and illegal fishing.

GAROWE ONLINE