Yemen Ministry of Agriculture bans rockfish fishing and closes squid season

The Yemeni Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries has issued two ministerial decrees to regulate fishing activities and protect marine resources.

Decree No. 16 closes the squid fishing season in Yemeni waters. All fishing practitioners are required to remove their squid fishing equipment from the sea and coasts three days before the decision takes effect. Additionally, fish processing plants, cold storage facilities, and companies must inventory their stored squid quantities and report the results to the ministry within one week.

Decree No. 17 implements a one-year ban on the fishing of all types of rockfish along the Yemeni coast, effective from September 2026. This measure aims to allow fish stocks to regenerate and ensure long-term sustainability. The only exception to this ban is fishing conducted for scientific research purposes, which requires a specific license from the ministry.