Across the world, small-scale and artisanal fishers play a major role in developing countries in producing fish and fishery products, except in Somalia.

As most readers of this article will know, the Somali coastline, bound by the Gulf of Aden to the north and by the Indian Ocean to the east, is the largest in mainland Africa. This extensive coastline holds considerable marine resources that once created the rich and wealthy history for its towns scattered along its 3,333 kilometre coastline.

Today these towns are nothing but a shadow of their former self, yet with the potential to rise again and provide income not only to their local residents, but the to the state and federal government through taxes on trade.

Be under no illusion of the challenges Somalia faces to recreate wealth and prosperity back into these towns and to help them reestablish a strong and successful fishing industry. These challenges are huge, but not insurmountable. The foundations have yet to be set and now is the time to start the essential work. Delays will only serve to increase illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign vessels, which are already a significant threat to the industry.

The fisheries sector should arguably be the main priority for strategic development of the Somali economy. With the available, untapped resource, It is an essential element for economic growth and will contribute to food security, create jobs and bring foreign currency through exports.

Typically, we find key experts agreeing that the following three main foundations that must be established for the sector to ensure development is focused and investment strategic.

1. understating the fish stock,
2. building strong community management structures

• ensuring access to international markets

In this article we will focus on the third point, accessing international markets, but let us first focus on history.

The local market opportunity In Somalia is limited as the Somali people are traditionally not high consumers of fish. There is however, signs of growth in national consumption.