By Asha Elmi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 08 October 2026 - Somalia’s Cabinet has approved a nine-member board for the National Fishing Company, the government said on Thursday, as authorities seek to develop the country’s fisheries sector and marine resources.
The board was approved following a proposal by the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy during the Cabinet’s weekly meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The decision comes as Somalia seeks to increase the economic contribution of its fisheries sector, which has significant potential but remains underdeveloped despite the country’s long coastline and rich marine resources.
Somalia recorded a national fisheries catch of 76,026 metric tonnes in 2024, a 30% increase from the previous year, according to data submitted by Somalia to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. Yellowfin tuna accounted for 18,635 tonnes of the catch.
The sector supports about 30,000 full-time and 60,000 part-time jobs, while an estimated 500,000 people are involved in related activities including fish processing, distribution and equipment repair, according to the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank.
Related articles
Somalia’s fisheries remain largely underutilised. A 2025 analysis by the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank estimated that the country’s exclusive economic zone could sustainably produce between 380,000 and 500,000 tonnes of fish annually, substantially above current production levels.
The Food and Agriculture Organization has also warned that fisheries management has been hampered by limited data and weak monitoring. It said a $55 million Somalia Sustainable Fisheries project, launched in 2025, includes the development of a national Fisheries Information Management System to improve management and prevent over-exploitation of fish stocks.
The Cabinet also discussed security, elections, health, trade and other national issues during Thursday’s meeting.
The creation of the board is expected to provide a formal governance structure for the National Fishing Company as Somalia seeks to expand investment, employment and economic activity linked to its marine resources.