Reopening the fishing port in Aden: A step towards reviving the Yemeni economy

The Yemeni government, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries, has begun taking concrete steps to restart operations at the fishing port in the interim capital, Aden. This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategic plan to revitalize vital economic institutions damaged by years of conflict and neglect. These efforts respond to the urgent need to reactivate productive sectors, particularly the fisheries sector, which is a key pillar of the country's economy.

Current government measures include assessing the damage to the port's infrastructure, initiating salvage operations for sunken vessels obstructing navigation and berthing in the port basin, and maintaining the port's refrigeration and storage facilities and ice plants. These measures aim to restore the port's full operational capacity, enabling it to become a major hub for receiving, marketing, and exporting fish products, which will contribute to regulating traditional and commercial fishing in the region.

Strategic importance and historical background

This step is of paramount importance given the strategic location of the fishing port in the Hajif area of ​​Al-Tawahi district, which in past decades was considered one of the most important fishing ports in the Arab region and the Middle East. Historically, this port played a pivotal role in bolstering the state treasury with hard currency through exports of fish and marine life, and it was a lifeline for thousands of fishermen and those working in related professions. However, the repercussions of the war and the cessation of routine maintenance have led to a decline in the port's efficiency and the closure of large parts of it, negatively impacting food security and the local economy.

Expected economic and social impact

The reopening of the fishing port is expected to bring about a qualitative leap in the Yemeni fisheries sector, as it will contribute to:

• Enhancing food security: by providing ample quantities of fish in local markets at affordable prices for citizens, thus alleviating the severity of the living crises.
• Creating job opportunities: The project will absorb hundreds of workers, either directly in the management and operation of the port, or indirectly through logistics, transportation and marketing.
• Supporting the national economy: The port will reopen export channels for high-quality Yemeni fish, boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves and reducing reliance on foreign aid.

These efforts come at a time when the Yemeni government, with the support of regional and international partners, is seeking to normalize the situation in the liberated governorates and improve the level of services and infrastructure, as the fisheries sector is seen as the “second oil” of Yemen, given that the country has a long coastline of more than 2,500 kilometers, rich in diverse marine resources that have not been optimally exploited in recent years.