After the collapse of the central government, the country entered a state of crisis, resulting in widespread destruction of its infrastructure. Fishermen faced significant challenges as a consequence. Historically, the Somali population has not been particularly fond of eating fish, leading to a small number of fishermen due to the limited consumer base. This devastation has created numerous problems for small-scale fishermen, affecting both the economy and their livelihoods. Some of these problems include:
Foreign vessels engaging in illegal fishing in our waters pose a significant threat. Our seas are rich in various fish species, making them attractive to these vessels. Perceiving little risk of being challenged, they fish increasingly closer to the coast, often entangling the nets laid by small fishermen. As a result, fishermen lose both their nets and the fish they aim to catch. Additionally, these foreign vessels dump waste into the sea, causing severe harm to the marine environment and its ecosystems, further depleting fish populations.
Fishermen, particularly divers, sometimes experience fainting, paralysis, or even death at sea without understanding the causes of these incidents. Recently, Somali fishermen have been featured in the media, suffering from mysterious ailments, some of which have led to death and disability.
Communication issues also plague Somali fishermen. They often lose their way while fishing, as they rely solely on traditional methods without access to advanced communication equipment to navigate back to shore.
Moreover, Somali fishermenreceive minimal support from the government, hindering their productivity. As a result, they often have to rely on self-sufficiency to sustain their livelihoods.
By Hassan Abdullahi Mao
You did well bro keep on
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