Efforts for building a sustainable fishing sector at Somalia to prevent piracy
Per Gullestrup, whose Danish-operated ship was hijacked by Somali pirates for several weeks, is to be joined this today at a meeting in London, by other shippers and government representatives, to discuss expanding coordination across job-creating projects in coastal regions of Somalia, including a fishing project he leads on the north Somali coast.
Per Gullestrup is a Partner of the Clipper Group, whose cargo ship CEC Future and 13 crew was hijacked for 72 days by Somali pirates in 2008. He personally negotiated with the pirates over several weeks to gain release of the vessel and crew. The tense drama became the basis of a Danish film called “A Hijacking”
In a notable turn of events, Per Gullestrup is now chairman of a Somali-Danish project called Somali Fair Fishing (SFF), (www.fairfishing.org), which is building a sustainable fishing sector at the Somali port city of Berbera.
Several shipping companies and other organizations have donated fishing and storage equipment as well as other services and funds which have helped SFF to build a fisheries station in Berbera, complete with ice machines, cold-storage rooms and processing facilities.
“Our small project aims to build up a viable alterative to criminal coastal activities like piracy,” says Per Gullestrup. “The solution to piracy lies onshore.” By the end of last month, SFF-sponsored fishermen were landing and processing a ton of fish per day.
Other shipping companies have also recognized the importance of supporting long-term solutions ashore, aimed at combating piracy at sea. In 2012, seven international shipping corporations – BP, Maersk, Shell, Stena, and the Japanese shipping companies NYK, MOL and “K”Line – jointly committed to supporting alternative livelihoods and training programmes in Somalia.
The initiatives also support the goals of a maritime capacity strategy, developed by Somali authorities in 2013. In his report to the UN Security Council on the issue of piracy in October 2013, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, stated “I commend the development of the Somali Maritime Resources and Security Strategy, which provides greater opportunities for increased economic growth and stability throughout the region”.
At the meeting in London ttoday, on Thursday 23rd January, a group of shipping companies, international organizations and government representatives, along with Somali Fair Fishing and other not-for-profit bodies involved on the ground in Somalia, will come together to discuss innovative strategies for enhancing public/private investments for Somali coastal development in partnership with the Somali people.
The meeting is being organized by Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP), a project of One Earth Future Foundation (OEF).
The Role of Industry in Somali Coast Developement The recent reduction in successful pirate attacks and increasing stability in the Somali regions, presentsan opportunity to move towards development efforts ashore in the region. Several enterprising programs arealready underway on the ground in Somalia in pursuit of a long-term solution to piracy and maritime crime. TheNorthern regions provide a relatively stable environment for pilot projects focused on coastal development. Industry representatives see supporting Somali economic development programs as a unique and innovativeopportunity to foster long-term stability and security in the region. Having witnessed firsthand the human andeconomic impact associated with piracy, industry stake-holders are now looking to contribute financial andin-kind support to create job opportunities as viable alternatives to piracy for young Somalis. |
Joint Industry Contribution to Support Community Projects in Somalia
Created in 2012, the joint shipping initiative consisting of BP, Maersk, Shell, Stena, andthe Japanese shipping companies NYK, MOL and “K”Line have pledged a total of US$2.5 million to supportcapacity building projects in Somalia.
The project “Alternative Livelihoods to Piracy in Puntland and CentralRegions of Somalia” aims to strengthen community resilience against piracy through a range of activitiesaimed at stimulating local economic development, supporting entrepreneurs and creating jobs, particularly forvulnerable youth in the hot spots of piracy Puntland and Central Somalia.
The project is being implementedby the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Somalia
The geographic focus of the project is the four coastal districts of Eyl, Hafun, Gara’ad and Bander Bayleand the three adjacent hinterland districts of Adado, South-Galkayo and Abudwaq. On-going and plannedactivities of the project include: The provision of vocational skills training and ‘start-up packages’ (equipment or smallgrants) for the long-term unemployed. Labour market research is being used to assessthe demand for vocational skills with the aim of securing sustainable employment forapproximately 100 young people; Entrepreneurship training and the provision of start up grants to young people with abusiness aptitude. A target of 380 entrepreneurs will be assisted, and a business supportcentre established to provide technical advice and downstream mentoring; The rehabilitation of productive assets through ‘cash for work’ schemes that generateimmediate income for vulnerable young people and contribute to local economic andcommunity development. On-going and planned schemes include the rehabilitation of 10-15 km of tertiary roads that increase access to markets, and the construction and repairof a vocational training school, two markets and youth facilities. |
Learn about all Industry Contributions for Somali Coastal developement by clicking at the brochure below
All images are included in Oceans Beyond Piracy brochure regarding shipping industry’s inititatives and projects for Somali Coastal Developement
Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) is a project of theOne Earth Future Foundation, a privately funded and independent non-profit organization located in Colorado, USA. OBP was launched in 2010 with the intent to develop a response to maritime piracy through: Mobilizing stakeholders from the maritime community, Developing public-private partnerships to promote long-term solutions at sea and ashore and Sustainable deterrence based on the rule of law. Visit official website at www.oceansbeyondpiracy.org