Officials in the Yemeni Fish Associations Federation reported that fish production in Yemen declined by 50 percent due to the sea piracy and international forces attacks against Yemeni fishermen. They warned from the danger that the national economy might face.
The Secretary-General of the Federation, Ali Hassan Bahaider said that the associations of fish operating in Aden shores; Al-shehr and Al-mukalla, are almost non-functional after the repeated attacks to Yemeni fishermen by the international coalition that are patrolling in the Arabian Sea waters. Bahaider added that fish associations are affected significantly due to their inability to exploit the current fishing season in the Arabian Sea, which stretches from November to May. Hassan confirmed that the international coalition forces have become more dangerous for the Yemeni fishermen from Somali pirates.
Bahaider pointed out that the federation is cooperating with the Yemeni Foreign Affairs Ministry to put an end to the international coalition forces attacks against Yemeni fishermen that killed two of Yemeni fishermen, wounded others, and destroyed 6 boats so far.
He pointed out that a meeting with Yemeni Foreign Ministry is being prepared for to resolve these problems, stressing on the urgent need to strengthen the capacity of the Yemeni coast guard to substitute the international coalition forces.