The Ministry of Fisheries, Ports and Marine Resource works to ensure that fisheries are used in a sustainable way and that we have a healthy aquatic ecosystem. That way, all Puntlanders can get the best value from this resource.
Mission Statement
The waters along the Somali coast are fed by nutrient-rich cold water upwelling from the depths of the northern Indian Ocean . The nutrients support vigorous plankton production, which in turn supports rich pelagic and demersal fish stocks along the Somali coast. The highest production appears to occur between Ras Asir and Gara'ad where coastal fishing communities are concentrated. There is also a valuable spiny lobster fishery along the coast of Puntland . The potential sustainable yield of the territorial waters and EEZ of the whole of Somalia has been previously estimated to be in the order of 200,000 t/yr 1 . If properly developed and managed, it is believed that Somalia 's fisheries resources could generate in excess of US$100 million per annum. Some estimates have been put as high as US$300 million per annum.
Vision Statement
The relative stability of Puntland provides an opportunity for the Ministry of Fisheries, Ports, Marine Transport and Marine Resources to prepare an initial action plan which will ultimately lead to the re-establishment of an effective fishing industry and the sustainable exploitation and management of Somalia 's rich fisheries resources.
To achieve this, the Ministry needs to establish a small and effective administrative unit as soon as possible so that practical steps can be taken to start the process of reconstructing the fisheries sector, and most importantly the optimal utilisation of the nation's fisheries resources. If given the necessary financial support and assistance, the fisheries sector can start to make a significant contribution to the Somali economy in a relatively short space of time, especially if the licensing of foreign fishing vessels and the provision of a fishery protection operation are given priority.
Vision Statement
The relative stability of Puntland provides an opportunity for the Ministry of Fisheries, Ports, Marine Transport and Marine Resources to prepare an initial action plan which will ultimately lead to the re-establishment of an effective fishing industry and the sustainable exploitation and management of Somalia 's rich fisheries resources.
To achieve this, the Ministry needs to establish a small and effective administrative unit as soon as possible so that practical steps can be taken to start the process of reconstructing the fisheries sector, and most importantly the optimal utilisation of the nation's fisheries resources. If given the necessary financial support and assistance, the fisheries sector can start to make a significant contribution to the Somali economy in a relatively short space of time, especially if the licensing of foreign fishing vessels and the provision of a fishery protection operation are given priority.
Objectivites
The Ministry will need to pay urgent attention to the following:
- The re-establishment of institutions necessary to support the fisheries sector;
- The recruitment of a small cadre of qualified and experienced staff;
- The management of Somalia 's fisheries resources on a sustainable basis;
- The re-establishment of a coastguard and fisheries protection capability;
- The elimination of illegal fishing by foreign vessels;
- The elimination of the dumping of toxic waste along the Somali coastline;
- The formation of local fisheries co-operatives and associations where appropriate;
- The refurbishment of existing processing and cold storage facilities;
- The establishment of new support facilities for artisanal fishermen;
- The establishment of an effective fisheries data collection system;
- The establishment of a fisheries research capability;
- The drafting of new effective fisheries legislation and regulations, and
- Regional co-operation in respect of the management and utilisation of shared fisheries resources (particularly migratory pelagic species).
On completion of the Preliminary Development Plan , it is proposed that the donor organisation responsible for funding the project will host a one day presentation for the dissemination of the output from the study to potential donors, aid agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders and to encourage commitments of financial support for institution and capacity building within the Ministry of Fisheries, Ports, Marine Transport and Marine Resources and the reconstruction and development of the fisheries sector. It should be noted that the cost of this item has not been included in the budget.
Although not an integral part of the study itself, the Ministry of Fisheries, Ports, Marine Transport and Marine Resources will establish a management team, which will act as a steering committee to co-ordinate future reconstruction and development activities within the sector in consultation with donors and NGOs and other stakeholders. The management team will initially comprise the Hon Said Mohamed Rage, Minister of Fisheries, Ports, Marine Transport & Marine Resources and Dr Tony Farmer, however, others will be added and/or co-opted at a later stage. It is planned that the management team will meet periodically during the study to review progress with the donor organisation responsible for funding the preparation of the
Preliminary Development Plan .
Short Term Product Development
The Ministry of Fisheries, Ports, Marine Transport and Marine Resources provides operational policy and technical expertise to the export seafood industry companies through delivery by competent inspection staff of quality assurance based inspection systems. International market access is maintained through the provision of this essential inspection and certification service which is on a fully cost recovered basis. The Ministry will facilitated the country's competitive position as a dominant supplier of safe products is enhanced through the provision of expert advice and the maintenance of the highest standards of food safety.
This involves providing operational and technical advice to both field staff and industry about the legislative requirements for exporting fish and fish products and importing material countries requirements, ensuring that the requirements are complied with and providing necessary export certification.
Long Term Product Development
Food safety has become a critical priority for the fish supply chain. However, rather than just identifying a more generalised commodity group, an effective and cost-efficient traceability system should accurately identify any problem in food safety related to a specific geographical origin, slaughtering or processing facility, down to a vessel or to a batch of fish. The new system covers our inshore fishing (processed on land), deepwater fishing (processed at sea).
The system encompasses:
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