Somalia, 30 September 2025 – Puntland’s tax enforcement forces announced on Monday they had intercepted two boats engaged in illegal fishing off the coast of Ras Caseyr, following a maritime operation.
Officials leading the operation said the boats included one owned by Somalis and another manned by foreigners, whom they identified only as Arabs without specifying their exact country of origin.
The Somali vessel had nine crew members, while the foreign-owned vessel had 14 individuals on board.
The suspects are accused of not having obtained the required legal permits allowing them to fish in Puntland’s waters.
“We have no problem with people fishing as long as they obtain the proper licenses. Let them get them from the nearest office. What we are after are those who fish illegally,” said Ciise Ahmed Dubyar.
Enforcement officials, Cismaan Siciid Cismaan and Ciise Ahmed Dubyar, handed over the detainees to officers at a police station in the Baargaal district. Local authorities pledged that the suspects would be swiftly brought before the law.
The operation is part of Puntland’s wider efforts to protect marine resources and crack down on illegal fishing, which continues to heavily impact Somalia’s coastline.