The Economic Impact of Unlawful Tuna Fishing Along Somalia’s Shores: A Local and International Perspective
The relentless pillage of yellowfin tuna in Somali waters is a troubling saga, unravelling as a grim tale affecting local livelihoods and looming ominously over global food security. The ripples of this exploitation stretch far and wide, touching ecosystems and economies in profoundly unsettling ways. But, how did this come to pass?
One can’t help but wonder about the brazen illegal activities by Chinese vessels, which have become a stark symbol of unchecked ambition and disregard for maritime laws. These vessels prowl Somali waters hungrily, targeting the prized yellowfin tuna. This species, renowned for its economic importance, is a prime target for shadowy networks that thrive in lawless waters. “This is not mere fishing,” said one Somali fisherman, reflecting on the situation. “It’s a battlefield out there.”
Somalia’s marine bounty should ideally be a national treasure, contributing to both the economy and the sustenance of its people. Yet, illegal and unregulated fishing activities siphon off a staggering $300 million annually — much of it linking back to organized crime syndicates that treat the ocean as their private domain. The ripple effects are felt everywhere: overfishing depletes stocks, local fishermen lose their livelihoods, and the nation loses its natural wealth.
Why does this matter to the world at large? The answer lies within a stark warning by Planet Tracker, a reminder echoing since 2021: without decisive intervention, we stand on the brink of a crisis by 2026, a year that could witness the collapse of global tuna stocks. This isn’t simply an ecological issue; it’s an economic quandary with global implications.
In response to this maritime crisis, a crucial meeting was convened in Mogadishu in 2023. Leaders, including those from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Somalia’s Ministry of Fisheries, gathered with a singular focus. Their conversations brimmed with urgency as they charted a course to fortify fisheries governance and clamp down on offenders. The stakes are impossibly high, necessitating collective resolve and innovative strategies.
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) stands as a key player, yet its mandate appears increasingly tenuous against the sheer scale of the challenge. While it can suggest measures, the enforcement burden rests heavily on member states, many of which are ill-equipped to tackle such maritime transgressions.
Illegal fishing, driven partly by foreign syndicates, has spiralled into a multifaceted challenge that stretches beyond the grasp of the IOTC’s current capabilities. It’s a web interwoven with other illicit activities — money laundering, corruption, and even human enslavement aboard these notorious vessels. Somalian pirates often point to these illegal fishers as justification for their own criminal activities, creating a vicious cycle that seems almost inescapable.
Progress has been sporadic. Recent positive steps, like the IOTC’s 2024 decision to cut bigeye tuna catches and adapt electronic monitoring, hint at potential solutions but also underline the gaps yet to be filled. Unfortunately, geopolitical complexities complicate these efforts. The European Union’s influence and reluctance to tighten regulations around fish-aggregating devices — which exacerbate overfishing — sow discord among coastal nations advocating for sterner measures.
The tale is not without intrigue from the past either. In December 2018, the former Somali fisheries minister inked a controversial deal, leasing rights for $1 million to Chinese entities. Despite intentions of stock assessments determining renewals, transparency remains elusive, leaving the door ajar for questionable practices.
Political intricacies further mar the field. Allegations of backhanded deal-making involving Chinese trawlers in Northeastern State uncover a disturbing nexus between political allegiance and resource mismanagement. It’s an alarming illustration of how governance can falter when tangled with personal interests.
Amidst this tangled web, Chinese vessels continue their illicit pursuits, employing hazardous methods like purse seines and dynamite fishing. Their operations are not just predatory but devastating to the marine ecosystem, paving a perilous path for both farmers and fish.
Fortunately, every story of despair contains glimmers of hope. The Somali government has enacted bans on trawling and updated vessel licensing protocols. Collaborative efforts with Turkey and strategic enforcement actions are slowly rebuilding maritime enforcement capabilities. Partnerships have started to bear fruit, demonstrated by arrests and sizable fines levied against illegal operators.
Nevertheless, the enduring bane of corruption and ineffective regulation threatens these advances, undermining efforts to protect valuable fish stocks from depletion. Stop Illegal Fishing, an influential African NGO, emphasizes the need for robust local capacity and international cooperation to root out corruption and bolster maritime governance.
As Robert McKee, a maritime security luminary, asserted, “We need regional brains and brawn — from surveillance centers to task forces — to vigilantly defend our waters.” Harmony between stringent laws and technology adoption is the key that could unlock sustainable fishing practices.
In the absence of devoted enforcement and adherence to sustainable practices, not only will mariners and marine life suffer, but global food integrity itself hangs in the balance. Somalia’s struggle over its yellowfin tuna — a crucial resource at risk — is but a reflection of wider issues needing global resonance and responsibility.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
