Somalia, 29 October 2025 — The Somaliland Cabinet has approved a new Fisheries Law focusing on the development of the country's blue economy.
The decision was made during the 39th cabinet meeting, chaired by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro)at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.
Apart from developing the blue economy, the law aims to regulate Somaliland’s fishing sector, and safeguard marine resources. It replaces the previous fisheries law enacted in 2018 and incorporates updated measures to combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems.
During the vote, 37 of the 39 cabinet members supported the bill, one opposed, and one abstained.
“All cabinet members present voted on the fisheries law. Thirty-seven supported it, one opposed, and one abstained, leading to its approval,” President Irro said.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources introduced the draft law, which now proceeds for parliamentary review ahead of official enactment.
If approved by Parliament, the draft law will be the seventh legal enactment of the Irro administration since taking office.
This legislation reflects Somaliland’s ongoing efforts to modernize maritime governance and align legal frameworks with current economic and environmental priorities.
