The Ministry of Fishery and Marine Resources of the Republic of Somaliland (MoFMR, ) is a Somaliland government ministry which is responsible for the country's fishery sectors.
History In October 2007, the Somaliland Ministry of Fisheries and the Somaliland Coast Guard conducted a joint operation that led to the seizure of three Yemeni fishing vessels. The boats were apprehended for conducting illegal fishing activities within Somaliland's territorial waters.
In December 2015, a fish exhibition was held in the capital Hargeisa, attended by a delegation from the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. The event aimed to promote fish consumption and strengthen trade relations between the two regions.
In March 2016, Djibouti apologized to Somaliland after a sea clash near Zeila killed a Somaliland Coast Guard officer. The Somaliland Ministry of Fisheries and other officials held talks in Djibouti to resolve the tension. Both countries agreed to form a joint committee to work together on sea security and safety.
In December 2017, under the administration of President Muse Bihi Abdi, the Ministry of Livestock and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources were merged to form the Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development (, .) This structural reorganization was intended to streamline government operations and improve administrative efficiency by consolidating related economic sectors under a single ministry.
In March 2020, the Somaliland Minister of Livestock and Fisheries announced the revocation of operating licenses for four commercial fishing vessels granted during the previous minister's term. This decision cited suspicions of various fishing practices that deplete marine resources and the subleasing of licenses to foreign vessels.
In November 2021, the Somaliland Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, accompanied by the Somaliland Ambassador to Djibouti and the Djibouti Minister of Agriculture, visited a fish processing plant in Djibouti.
In June 2022, urban residents in Somaliland reportedly increased their fish consumption due to rising meat prices and growing awareness of its health benefits. However, only about 5% of coastal marine resources were utilized. To address this, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development supported the Maydh port reconstruction project.
In February 2024, the Somaliland Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Development, Rabi Abdi Mohamed, conducted an official visit to Taiwan to meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Remus Li-Kuo Chen. The discussions centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation, focusing on Taiwanese investment in Somaliland's fisheries and providing technical training for ministry staff.
In December 2024, Irro, who took office as President of Somaliland, split the Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development into the Ministry of Livestock and Rural Development and the Ministry of Fishery and Marine Resources.
In May 2026, the Somaliland Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources distributed modern equipment to small-scale fishers in Berbera. The package included solar-powered generators and freezers designed to improve fish preservation and storage. This initiative aimed to strengthen the local coastal economy and reduce post-harvest losses for small businesses.
Ministers Image Minister Ministry Took office Left office Mahamud Abi Ali (Bayr)Maxamuud Cabi Cali (Bayr) Ministry of FisheriesWasiirka Kalluumaysiga 1991 1992 Mohamed Mohamoud Farah (Oday) Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal AffairsWasaarada Kaluumaysiga iyo Xeebaha September 1995 Ali Mohamed Hasan (Ali Qoorseef) Minister of Fisheries and Marine ResourcesWasaaradda Kalluumaysiga iyo khayraadka Badda 2007 July 2010 Mohamed Yasin HassanMaxamed Yaasiin Xasan Ministry of Fisheries, Natural Resources and PortsWasaaradda Kalluumaysiga, Khayraadka Dabiiciga ah iyo Dekedaha July 2010 January 2011 Abdillahi Jama Osman (Geeljire)Cabdillaahi Jaamac Cismaan (Geeljire) Ministry of Fisheries and Marine ResourcesWasaaradda Kalluumaysiga iyo Khayraadka Badda January 2011 June 2013 Ali Jama Farah (Buureed)Cali Jaamac Faarax (Buureed) Ministry of Fisheries and Marine ResourcesWasaaradda Kalluumaysiga iyo Khayraadka Badda June 2013 Hassan Mohammed Ali (Gafadhi)Xasan Maxamed Cali Gaafaadhi Ministry of Livestock and Fishery DevelopmentWasaaradda Xannaanada Xoolaha iyo Horumarinta Kalluumaysiga December 2017 December 2019 Said Sulub MohamedSiciid Sulub Maxamed Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development December 2019 Rabi Abdi MohamedRaabi Cabdi Maxamed Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal DevelopmentWasaaradda Kalluumaysiga iyo Horumarinta Xeebaha November 2023 Ali Jama Farah (Buureed)Cali Jamac Buureed Ministry of Fisheries and Marine ResourcesWasiirka Kaluumaysiga December 2024
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