Somalia accuses Iran of fishing illegally in its waters

Somalia's fishing authorities say the country has submitted a formal complaint about Iranian vessels illegally fishing in its waters.

The Somali government accuses Iran-flagged vessels of the deep-sea exploitation of tuna fishing.

In an interview with the BBC, Fishing Minister Abdullahi Bidhan said his government had formally submitted a complaint about a “surge of illegal Iranian fishing vessels in the Somali waters”.

He added that Somali had spotted up to 100 vessels in its waters using satellite images.

According to the minister, Somalia will also seek compensation for illegal fishing activities over the years.

Somalia cut its diplomatic ties with Iran in January 2016 and expelled Iran's ambassador from the country just days after Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic relationship with Iran. The country has previously warned Pakistan and Iran against conducting illegal fishing activities in its waters.

Global Fishing Watch, an organisation which also detected the fleet of the Iranian vessels, termed it one of the world's largest illegal fishing operations.

It said nearly 200 Iranian vessels were detected in Somali and Yemeni waters.

Illegal fishing is rampant in Somali waters despite the presence of international maritime forces drawn from various countries to combat piracy.

The government has previously arrested dozens of Iranian fishermen caught fishing in its waters.