Sanaa closes shrimp fishing season in Red Sea

SANAA, Sept. 17 (YPA) – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has announced the closure of the coastal shrimp fishing season in the Red Sea within Yemen’s territorial waters. The ban takes effect from 24 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1447 AH, corresponding to September 16, 2025, and will remain in place until further notice.

In an official statement, the Ministry directed the General Authority for Red Sea Fisheries to inventory the quantities of coastal shrimp currently stored in exporters’ cold storage facilities and to report the findings to the Ministry.

It warned that legal action will be taken against violators of this decision in accordance with the Law on the Regulation, Exploitation, and Protection of Aquatic Resources and its executive regulations.

The move is aimed at preventing overfishing and protecting shrimp stocks from depletion.

The Ministry also urged fishermen to switch to fishing nets with a mesh bag size of 38 millimeters, in line with sustainability guidelines.

It assigned the General Authority for Red Sea Fisheries and the Coast Guard Authority to intensify maritime surveillance during the closure period.

@E.Y.M