Marine risk awareness

Marine Hazards & Fish Health

Identify common marine hazards, fish health risks, and post-harvest spoilage issues affecting Puntland fisheries and review recommended prevention and response practices.

Pest / disease Emergency Affects: Offshore & coastal waters

Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated (IUU) Fishing

Foreign and unlicensed fishing — report sightings immediately.

Symptoms: Unknown vessels, unmarked gear, night transshipment, undersized catch landed secretly.

Prevention: Community reporting to the Ministry; licensed vessel checks; patrol coordination.

Response: Do not confront armed vessels; report location and photos to authorities.

Pest / disease Emergency Affects: Coastal bays & inshore

Harmful Algal Bloom / Red Tide

Toxic blooms — avoid harvesting suspect shellfish.

Symptoms: Discoloured water, dead fish on beaches, shellfish-linked illness.

Prevention: Heed Ministry health advisories; do not sell affected catch.

Response: Stop fishing in affected areas; report blooms to regional offices.

Pest / disease Moderate Affects: Aquaculture sites

Sea Lice & External Parasites (farmed fish)

Parasite outbreaks in cages and pens.

Symptoms: Rubbing behaviour, skin lesions, reduced feeding, slower growth.

Prevention: Stock health checks, fallowing periods, optimal stocking density.

Control: Approved treatments per aquaculture guidelines; isolate infected batches.

Pest / disease High — market value Affects: Landing sites & markets

Post-Harvest Spoilage & Fish Quality Loss

Rapid quality decline without ice and hygiene.

Symptoms: Off odours, soft flesh, discolouration, reduced market price.

Prevention: Slurry ice on board, clean decks, shaded handling, quick auction.

Control: Reject spoiled product from market; improve cold-chain links.

Pest / disease Moderate Affects: Reef & coastal habitats

Coral Bleaching & Habitat Degradation

Stress on reef habitats affecting reef fisheries.

Symptoms: Whitened coral, reduced reef fish abundance, trap catch decline.

Prevention: Avoid destructive gear; respect protected areas; reduce land-based runoff.

Response: Report widespread bleaching; support habitat restoration programmes.

Pest / disease Moderate Affects: Coastal & offshore

Ghost Nets & Marine Plastic Debris

Abandoned gear and plastics harm fishers and stocks.

Symptoms: Entangled propellers, by-catch in drifting nets, ingestion by marine life.

Prevention: Proper gear retrieval; port waste collection; community beach clean-ups.

Control: Report large ghost-net concentrations; never abandon damaged nets at sea.

Report illegal fishing, red tide, or serious marine incidents: Contact your nearest district fisheries office or the Ministry hotline immediately. Do not confront unknown vessels or use unapproved chemicals.

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