Turkish fishermen will soon be allowed to work in Somali waters as part of a new cooperation agreement between the two countries despite a trawler ban aimed at protecting Somalia’s marine resources, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Wednesday, citing Turkey’s agriculture and forestry minister, İbrahim Yumaklı.
The minister announced the development following a meeting with Somali Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy Ahmed Hassan Aden in Ankara.
Yumaklı described the visit by the Somali minister as a reflection of the “strong ties of friendship” between the two countries, stressing Turkey’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations under the directive of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“Turkish fishermen have extensive experience in international waters,” Yumaklı told Aden, adding, “I believe we can share our expertise in fishing … and by ensuring the sustainable use of Somalia’s resources, enable Turkish fishermen and entrepreneurs to operate in your country in a way that will be a win for both of us.”
Yumaklı proposed the formation of a technical committee to oversee the cooperation, suggesting its first meeting be held in Turkey, Anadolu reported. Both countries aim to ensure sustainable fisheries management as part of the collaboration.
The decision follows Somalia’s reinforcement of its ban on trawlers fishing in its waters, marked by the arrival of the Turkish warship Kınalıada F514 at Mogadishu’s seaport in late April.
In early April, Somalia banned fishing trawlers from operating in its waters in a move to prevent the overexploitation of fish in its territorial waters.
The warship docked two months after the signing of a defense and economic agreement between Somalia and Turkey, under which Turkey committed to providing maritime security support to Somalia.
The development also came after Turkey played a role in brokering a deal between Ethiopia and Somalia to resolve a year-long dispute. The agreement, reached after hours of talks in Ankara, was hailed by Erdoğan as “a step towards peace and cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia.”
The two Horn of Africa neighbors had been at odds after Ethiopia’s deal with Somalia’s breakaway region, Somaliland, sparked tensions. Turkey mediated the talks, which led to an agreement on Ethiopia’s “reliable, safe and sustainable access” to the sea “under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
Erdoğan is scheduled to visit Ethiopia and Somalia early next year.