The Court of Appeal of Banadir Region has today heard a case against 36 foreign defendants, who were previously sentenced by the Court of First Instance of Banadir Region.
The defendants have appealed their verdict, which led to their case being heard again today.
These fishermen, who are from Iran and Pakistan, were caught off the coast of Hobyo district in Mudug region, while they were fishing illegally off the coast of Somalia.
The Chairman of the Banadir Regional Court, Salah Ali Mohamud, revealed that three times their case was heard, the Regional Court issued a verdict, with each person being fined $11,000. In addition, the court ordered them to pay an additional $30,000 to the Somali government, as compensation for the fish they illegally harvested from Somali waters.
The court’s decision emphasizes the Somali government’s commitment to protecting marine resources and combating illegal fishing. Holding foreign fishermen accountable.
As of January 2023, evidence collected by the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy shows many foreign fishing vessels operating illegally in Somalia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
