The Somaliland coast guard on Friday (February 8th) captured two boats operated by Yemeni nationals fishing illegally off in Somaliland's waters.

In an operation conducted in Karin district, 100 kilometres east of Berbera, the coast guard arrested 32 fishermen, according to Somaliland coast guard chief Admiral Ahmed Osman Abdi.

"They were engaged in illegal fishing in Somaliland waters and we will try them according to the law," Abdi told Sabahi, adding that the men have been transferred to Berbera to face trial.

Even though the Somaliland Ministry of Fisheries has licensed some fishing boats, Yemeni fishermen routinely violate the law, Abdi said. "In the last few years, we have captured several illegal Yemeni fishermen, and they have been convicted in court," he said.

Somaliland is not against foreign fishing boats, but they have to get the legal permits, Abdi said.