Somalia’s Puntland regional government has announced the detention of 27 Yemeni fishermen and one Somali national for allegedly violating local maritime laws while fishing within Puntland’s territorial waters.
Official Statement from Puntland About the Detention of Yemeni Fishermen
According to a statement issued on Saturday by Puntland Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the fishermen were aboard a Yemeni vessel named “Maymoon 1”.
The vessel was intercepted by Puntland Coast Guard off the coast of Ras Asir on May 14.
The crew was reportedly using a banned fishing method known as “Hawi”, a practice strictly prohibited under Puntland’s fisheries regulations.
The ministry emphasized that the vessel was operating without an officially registered agent, which constitutes a separate breach of Puntland’s legal framework.
The Yemeni embassy in Mogadishu has been notified, along with other relevant authorities.
The Destiny of Maymoon 1 Fishing Vessel
The fishing vessel remains in custody, and legal proceedings are scheduled to begin at the Bargaal District Primary Court later this week.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to enforcing sustainable fishing practices and protecting local marine resources.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s General Authority for Fisheries in the Arabian Sea confirmed ongoing communication with Somali officials.
Under the direction of Hadramout’s local authorities, to secure the release of the detained fishermen.
Were the Yemeni Fishermen Kidnapped in Somalia?
The Yemeni agency also urged journalists and social media users to verify all information before publishing.
It also warned against spreading unconfirmed or exaggerated claims, which could cause public unrest or be used for political purposes.
Earlier, some Yemeni activists alleged that the fishermen had been kidnapped by armed Somali groups while operating near Yemeni waters.
The activists claimed that the captors initially demanded a ransom of $120,000, later reduced to $50,000.
