|INFORMATION ON FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN|
LOCATION AND MAIN LANDING PLACES
The coastline of the Republic of Yemen, which extends from the southern border of Oman on the Arabian Sea to the Saudi Arabian border on the Red Sea, is approximately 2 350 km long. In addition, the Republic of Yemen posseses many islands in the Red Sea, in the Gulf of Aden and in the Arabian Sea. The island system consisting of the Socotra Archipelago, Kamaran, Mayoon, Prim and the Huneish Archipelago is part of the territorial waters of Yemen. The long coastline of Yemen and its island archipelago system constitute the country's principal marine natural resource, providing fish products for the population,
Total landings in 1998 were 126 063 tons, valued at approximately US$130 million (based on an exchange rate of US$ = 135 YR). There are traditional fishery landings at many different locations, but there are seven centralized landing sites in the nine coastal governorates : Hajja, Alhudeida, Taiz, Lahj, Aden, Abian, Shabwa, Hadramout and Almahra (Table 1).
Table 1. Landing sites and their contribution to the total catch
Table 2. Fishing villages, the number of fishermen and the number of boats
The overall objectives for the sector are :
MAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR MAJOR FISHERIES
The coastal waters of Yemen are also characterized by their high level of primary and secondary production, making them an important feeding and nursery ground for marine species, where more than 600 species of fish and marine organisms have recently been recorded.
Large Pelagic Fisheries
There are different species of pelagic fish in Yemen waters, the principal ones being tuna (yellowfin tuna, bonita tuna, skipjack tuna), kawa kawa, king and Spanish mackerel, trevallies, swordfish and marlin). These pelagics are mainly caught by the artisan fisheries.
The estimated total catch in 1998 was 126 063 tons. In order to catch the large pelagics, fixed gill nets are used as well as longlines, handlines, purse seines and trolls. There are no regulations controlling the harvesting of these fish, as the fishing season lasts the entire year .
Small Pelagic Fisheries
The main small pelagic fish are sardines, indian mackerel, chub mackerel and anchovies. These fish are caught by the artisan fisheries using purse seines, beach seines and coast nets. Industrial fishery vessels mainly caught chub mackerel by using trawls. In 1989, the catch of chub mackerel by industrial fleets amounted to approximately 24 000 tons, but no industrial fisheries have caught this fish since that year.
The estimated catch of small pelagics in 1998 was approximately 30 000 tons. Specific regulations are in force today for controlling the harvesting of sardines in certain Government districts such as Hadramout. such as the prohibition against the use of purse seines in certain months, or at night.
The most important demersal fishes in Yemen waters are: groupers, emperors, scavengers, snappers, sea breams, barracuda, sharks and rays. Demersal fish are caught by both traditional and industrial vessels.
The total catch of these fish in 1998 was estimated at 63 700 tons, including 79% from artisan fishery and 21% from industrial fishery. Artisan fishermen use gill nets, handlines and traps to catch demersals, while industrial fishing vessels use trawls to catch them.
The management measures with regard to industrial fisheries include:
Crustacean and Mollusc Fisheries
Two commercial species of lobster inhabit Yemen waters, namely, rock lobsters (Panulirus hamarus) and deep sea lobsters (Puerulus sewelli).
The total catch of rock lobster for the year 2000 was 200 tons. The traditional fishermen catch rock lobsters using traps. The principal lobster regions are in the Almahra and Hadramout Governorates in East Yemen. Due to the decline in catch after 1992, and as a management measure, a closed season is now in force during the breeding and reproduction period from 30 March to 31 October of each year. Other management measures include:
regulations controlling shrimp harvesting are:
Deep sea shrimps
About nine species of deep sea shrimp are found in Yemen waters, offshore along the coast in the Gulf of Aden. The total catch in 1989 was approximately 400 tons. No fishing vessels harvested deep sea shrimp after 1989.
There are two commercial species in Yemen waters, namely, Sepia pharaonis and Sepia prashadi, with Sepia pharaonis representing more than 80% of the catch.
Both the artisan and industrial fishing craft catch cuttlefish. The total catch in 1998 was 4 000 tons, increasing to 10 000 tons in 2000 (8 000 from industrial fishery and 2 000 from artisan fishery). Industrial fishery uses large trawls, while artisan fishery uses traps and bottom lines .
Management Regulations for Cuttlefish:
Shark and Ray Fishery
More than 80 species of sharks and 40 species of rays and skates can be found in Yemen waters, particularly around Socotra Island. Most of the large catches are made by artisan fishermen using bottom lines and gill nets. The dried fins of sharks are exported to East Asian countries. The flesh of sharks and rays is a delicacy for many people in Yemen, particularly in the East Governorates. The total catch for these species amounted to 3 965 tons in 1998.
includes a small traditional fishery for sea cucumbers, which are caught
by hand. The entire catch is then dried and exported. The sea cucumber
is fished in commercial quantities in the west of Aden, in the Khor
Umera and Ras Alara areas. The total catch in 1997 was estimated at
five tons of dried sea cucumber. The entire catch was exported to Japan
and East Asian countries .
The main goals of the Government's strategy for fisheries include:
enforcement of fisheries legislation is carried out by the Ministry
of Fish Wealth, with the assistance of the Coast Guard (Ministry of
the Interior) and the Ministry of Defense. The Ministry of Fish Wealth,
as the country's primary fisheries development and management organization,
collaborates with other ministries such as the Ministry of Tourism and
Environment, the Ministry of Transport and Marine Affairs, the Ministry
of Planning and Development, as well as with the Sana'a, Aden, Hudeida
and Hadramout Universities.
The activities carried out by the fisheries sector are organized and governed by Aquatic Law No. 42 issued in 1991, which regulates the fishing and exploitation organisms and their protection. This law includes the following sections: fishing, licenses, fishing regulations, processing and marketing, aquaculture, protection, violations and penalties and general provisions. The regulations also deal with the different kinds of licenses, fishing gear, and fish processing and quality control.
Ministry Council Decisions
In addition, ministerial decisions are issued every year regarding the opening and closing of the fishing seasons for the important commercial fish such as rock lobster, coast shrimp and cuttlefish.
INVESTMENT IN FISHERIES
During the past fourteen years, gross investment in the fisheries sector amounted to approximately US$276 million (1 600 million Y.R). Two fishery ports have been constructed in Aden and in Nishtoon using these funds.
investment has also been directed toward the creation of fishing harbours,
ice plants, workshops, cold storage facilities, shelters, research,
training, fish quality control centers and canning plants. These projects
were funded through Fisheries Projects I, II, III and IV, financed by
the I.D.A., the World Bank, the European Community and IFAD, as well
as by the cooperation agreements between Yemen and other countries and
organizations such as the former Soviet Union, Japan and the Islamic
SUPPLY AND DEMAND PROJECTIONS
Yemen is considered to be completely self-sufficient in fish and fish products, with a surplus of not less than 20% of its minimum level. The annual per caput consumption of fish in 1998 was 7.4 kg. Approximately one-fifth of its fish production is exported, mainly to Europe, Japan, Jordan and other countries.
Fisheries product exports for 1998 were estimated at 29 858 tons, valued at US$40 000 million. There is no need for Yemen to import fish products, as they are available in large quantities on the local market. A small amount of canned and smoked fish was imported for supermarkets and hotels.
Table 3. Fish Production, Consumption and Export Projections (tons)
Addresses of the Ministry of Fish Wealth and Marine Science and Resources Research Centre:
of Fish Wealth (MFW), Sana'a:
Science and Resources Research Center, Aden:
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE NATIONAL FISHERIES AUTHORITY
Ministry of Fish Wealth
The Ministry of Fish Wealth (Headquarters in Saana', 146 employees) includes the following General Departments and positions:
Ministry has eight offices in the Coast Governorates:
The Ministry has the following affiliates: