Local sources have confirmed that the Puntland regional administration in Somalia has released 26 Yemeni fishermen who had been detained for illegally fishing in Puntland’s territorial waters, according to the Yemeni news agency Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni.
The fishermen, originally operating out of Yemen’s Hadhramaut region, had been held in custody for nearly three weeks following accusations of engaging in unauthorized fishing activities along Puntland’s coast.
Reports indicate that their release was secured after the owner of their fishing vessel paid a fine amounting to $44,000.
The fishermen were apprehended by Puntland’s coast guard in mid-May while operating near the Ras Asir area. They were aboard a vessel named “Maymoon 1.”
According to Puntland’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the vessel had been using the fishing method known as “Hawi”, which is officially banned in Puntland’s territorial waters due to environmental and regulatory concerns.
The ministry also noted that the boat lacked a licensed agent registered with the ministry, which they considered an additional violation of local fisheries regulations.
This incident highlights Puntland’s continued enforcement of maritime laws amid rising concerns over illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing in Somali waters.
