Somalia continues to lose an estimated US$300 million annually to illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. Weak institutions, limited naval capacity and corrupt licensing systems have allowed foreign fleets unfettered access to its resource-rich waters. Jurisdictional disputes between federal and member state authorities compounded by external rivalries heighten mistrust and tension. This study recommends stronger monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, institutional reform and cooperative federal–member state governance to ensure transparent, sustainable management of Somalia’s marine resources.

About the authors

Halkano Abdi Wario is the ENACT (Enhancing Africa’s Response to Transnational Organised Crime) Regional Organised Crime Observatory Coordinator for East Africa.

Samira Abdi Aden is an independent researcher and a postgraduate student studying public policy at UC Berkeley.

Image credit: Halkano Abdi Wario