Governance challenges and regulatory frameworks in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing off the Somali Coast

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is among the top challenges to the sustainable governance of fisheries and maritime security in Somalia. The absence of a central government since 1991, a divided government, limited enforcement capacity, and pervasive corruption have enabled foreign industrial fishing fleets to exploit Somalia’s abundant marine resources without clear accountability. This paper offers a systematic review of governance challenges and regulations aimed at combating IUU in Somalia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Drawing on academic literature, international legal instruments, policy documents, and institutional reports, the study evaluates the effectiveness of national fisheries laws, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). The results confirm that these frameworks provide a basis for fisheries governance in Somalia but are hampered by institutional fragmentation between the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States, weak monitoring and surveillance, legal fragmentation, and corruption. The research also analyzes current management measures, including ecosystem-based governance, community-based co-management, and technology-based monitoring mechanisms. It finds that the centralized approach to enforcement and the decentralized approach to governance have proved inadequate in combating IUU fishing. Rather, a governance model that includes robust state institutions, community involvement, technological monitoring, and regional cooperation is best suited for sustainable fisheries. To safeguard Somalia’s marine resources, strengthen coastal livelihoods, and promote long-term economic and environmental sustainability, it is imperative to strengthen governance, improve regulatory compliance, and enhance maritime enforcement.Systematic review registrationhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ZTH3X.