By HornTimes Somalia Desk
BANDER BEYLA (HT): Fishing communities on Somalia’s Puntland coast say renewed piracy and the measures introduced to suppress it are threatening already fragile livelihoods.
Piracy incidents have increased off Somalia since late April. Authorities restricted fishermen from going to sea around Bander Beyla in late August amid concerns that pirates were operating under the cover of legitimate fishing activity.
Residents told Al Jazeera that dozens of people had been arrested, including individuals accused of delivering supplies to hijacked vessels. Local businesses were also warned against selling provisions to suspected pirates.
Two local officials confirmed that restrictions were intended to dismantle shore-based support networks. However, residents said declining fish stocks, alleged illegal foreign fishing and limits on maritime activity were imposing severe costs on families not involved in piracy.
