Yemen rejoins tuna commission and updates agricultural regulations

Yemen has rejoined the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) after an 11-year absence. This move aims to protect the country's marine resources and secure the rights of local fishermen in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

Government officials stated that the return is intended to ensure that international decisions regarding tuna fishing quotas account for the humanitarian and social realities of Yemen's artisanal fishing communities. Yemen produces between 35,000 and 50,000 tons of yellowfin tuna annually, and officials emphasized the need for sustainable management that considers the country's status as a conflict-affected, low-income nation.

In parallel, Yemen's Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries is working to regulate the agricultural sector. A committee under the Seed Advisory Council met in Aden to discuss the development of the seed, seedling, and fertilizer systems. The discussions focused on registering local and new varieties, protecting local plant ownership, and ensuring that companies comply with regulations to support national food security.