Somali fishermen face curbs and danger as piracy resurges off Bander Beyla
Piracy attacks have risen off Puntland’s Bander Beyla, prompting authorities to bar local fishermen from the sea and intensify surveillance, while residents struggle to sustain their livelihoods.
A wave of ship hijackings that began in April 2026 has drawn renewed attention to Somalia’s Puntland coast, especially the fishing village of Bander Beyla. Local authorities responded by prohibiting fishermen from leaving port for two months and by maintaining a visible EU naval helicopter presence. Residents such as 35-year-old fisherman Abdifatah Mohamed describe shrinking fish stocks and foreign trawlers depleting the sea, while community members like Abdirizak Said note dozens of arrests for delivering food or khat to pirates.
Experts explain that piracy relies on kinship ties that supply money, equipment and protection, making land-based networks a crucial target. Although restrictions were lifted on October 1 after three hijacked vessels were freed, the security footprint remains, and fishermen continue to risk arrest or mistaken identity by international navies. The situation reflects broader regional strain as naval forces shift focus to Houthi attacks and local police juggle multiple security challenges.
Why it matters
The crackdown shows how piracy, local economies and international security intersect, affecting food security and regional stability.
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