How Rampant Illegal Fishing Is Destabilizing Somalia

New research examines how illegal fishing hurts Somalia’s economy, exacerbates conflicts, and upsets political stability.

by Munyaradzi Makoni

In Somali waters, illegal fishing is a pervasive problem. It triggers clashes between foreign and domestic fishers, and destabilizes Somali life.

For at least seven decades, foreign fishers have harvested Somalia’s fish with little or no deterrence. The clashes escalated with the 1991 collapse of the government. As civil war took hold and warlords scrambled to rule, the longest coastline in continental Africa, at 3,333 kilometers, was suddenly unprotected.

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Source: hakaimagazine.com

Iran, regional countries responsible for maritime security in region

In reaction to the departure of Japanese destroyer to the Persian Gulf, Iranian Embassy in Japan said that the maritime security should be provided by the countries of the region and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In a Monday tweet, the Iranian Embassy in Japan reacted to the departure of Japanese destroyer Takanami with some 200 sailors to the Middle East. “The principle position of the Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the historic guards of security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is that the presence of foreign forces in the region will not contribute to security and stability,” the statement said.

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Source: en.mehrnews.com

Bahrain’s navy patrolling shipping lanes to ensure safe passage for cargo vessels

BAHRAINI naval forces have been patrolling shipping lanes in the region to ensure safe passage for cargo vessels alongside international partners. The Royal Bahrain Naval Force yesterday drew praises from a senior US naval commander for its operational ability and working with the seven-member International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), which was launched in November to protect the international merchant community following a string of vessel attacks that have been blamed on Iran.

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Source: gdnonline.com

France kickstarts European mission in the Strait of Hormuz

French destroyer Chevalier Paul, via Wikipedia/Michael Davies

PARIS (Reuters) – France announced on Thursday the beginning of the European Maritime Awareness mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH), intended to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Gulf while promoting a de-escalation approach with Iran.

The French government has pushed for a European security alternative in the Strait of Hormuz after ruling out taking part in a U.S.-led coalition protecting oil tankers and cargo ships from what Washington says is a threat from Iran.

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Source: reuters.com

UKMTO Advisory Notice 001/JAN/2020

Date: 29th January 2020
Location: 253400N,0550400E

INCIDENT TYPE: SOLAS INCIDENT (VESSEL ON FIRE)

UKMTO has received reports that a vessel is on fire in position 2534N 05504E (21NM North West of SHARJAH)

VESSELS TRANSITING THE AREA ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION This Advisory is not classified as a Maritime Security Event and has not been verified by UKMTO. This information is provided to inform maritime situational awareness for mariners operating in the region. UKMTO is not responsible for the accuracy of this reporting.

Source: ukmto.org

Navy offers Sri Lanka help in fighting drug trafficking, human smuggling

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi on Wednesday completed his five-day official visit to Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening naval ties between the two countries and offering help to the island nation in combating organised transnational crime at sea.

Admiral Abbasi, according to Pakistan Navy, during his stay in Colombo met Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary retired major general Kamal Gunaratne and three Sri Lankan services chiefs.

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Source: dawn.com

UK takes charge of coalition Gulf mission to protect ships from Iran

Britain has taken over command from the United States of a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect global shipping from the threat of attack by Iran.

Royal Navy Commodore James Parkin took charge of the seven-nation coalition on Thursday from US Rear Admiral Alvin Holsey at a ceremony at a US naval base in Bahrain.

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Source: klfm967.co.uk

India closely monitors PLA Navy supported Chinese fishing fleet in Indian Ocean

New Delhi [India], Jan 28 (ANI): Indian Navy aircraft spotted the movement of Chinese distant-water fishing fleet supported by the People’s Liberation Army Navy ships, in western Indian Ocean Region, while they were moving towards Morocco in Africa.

The movement of the Chinese vessels and the warships travelling along with them was tracked by the Indian Navy warships and aircraft deployed in that region, Indian Navy sources told ANI.

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Source: in.news.yahoo.com

IRGC-Affiliated Strategist Abbasi: ‘Every Navy Patrol… Should Catch 10-20 Americans’ For Ransom – To Solve Our Economic Problems

IRGC-affiliated strategist Hassan Abbasi said in a video that he uploaded to aparat.com on January 17, 2020 that the IRGC should “generate income” by capturing Americans and demanding a ransom for their return.

Abbasi, who was speaking at the city of Noushahr, gave the example of the $1.7 billion that Iran received for the return of Jason Rezaian and the $3 billion that Iran, he claims, received from Qatar because the aircraft that killed Qassem Soleimani had taken off from Qatar.

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Source: memri.org

Dutch and Danish frigates to deploy in support of French maritime mission in the Persian Gulf

By Joanne Stocker

The France-led maritime mission to counter Iran in the Strait of Hormuz is set to officially start at the end of the month, the French defense ministry said on Thursday.

The European-led Maritime Awareness mission in the Strait Of Hormuz (EMASOH) is intended to prevent conflicts in the critical entrance to the Persian Gulf, the world’s busiest shipping waterway.

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Source: thedefensepost.com