Thread by @PuntlandPirates

My latest research on illegal fishing in #Somalia has just been published in @GI_TOC's Risk Bulletin #22.

It details the activities of the Liao Dong Yu vessels, a fleet of Chinese trawlers that have been pillaging northern Somali waters since at least early 2020.

(thread)

The Liao Dong Yu vessels are operated by Liaoning Daping Fishery Group, based in Dandong, #China.

Many abuse allegations surround the vessels, incl forced labour practices, deadly working conditions and ~20 violations of Somali and Chinese fisheries laws and regs.

At least three Indonesian crew members have died onboard the vessels since mid-2020.

The vessels appear to have committed multiple violations of Somali law, incl fishing without valid licences and operating within the 24-nm zone reserved for local fishermen.

Crucially, the fleet is engaged in trawling, which is prohibited under both federal and Puntland law.

The Liao Dong Yu vessels enjoy protection at the very top of #Puntland’s business and political elite.

Dahir Ayanle Said, a Puntland senator and close ally of President @SaidAbdullahiDe, reportedly serves as the principal agent for the trawlers.

According to @fisheriesSOM, the Ministry has made direct representations to Chinese Ambassador @FeiShengchao concerning the illegal status of the fleet.

@ChineseSomalia's position is that this is an "internal affair" of Somalia.

As of the writing of the article, the Liao Dong Yu fleet is still active in northern Somalia.

@fisheriesSOM should act immediately by publicly declaring that the vessels are engaged in illegal fishing.

My gratitude to @IJM @ejfoundation @S_I_F @DFW_Indonesia @ian_urbina for their invaluable help with this article, as well as their ongoing efforts to assist and seek justice for the victims of the Liao Dong Yu operation.

Have a read of the full Risk Bulletin issue at the link below👇🏼

globalinitiative.net/analysis/esaob…

Correction*: two Indonesian and one Chinese crew members.