Somali fishermen told the Qaran newspaper that between eight and ten vessels could be seen fishing every night particularly near Cadale, Warshiikh and Mogadishu.

One fisherman said the vessels turned off their lights while fishing, and shot at local fishing boats when they attempt to halt them.

The report did not say where the illegal fishermen came from.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service

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BBC MONITORINGINTERNATIONAL REPORTS: MORE FOREIGN VESSELS FISHING "ILLEGALY" IN SOMALI WATERS, PAPER REPORTS
99% match; BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom ; 02-Jan-2000 05:10:56 am ; 103 words
Text of report by Somali newspaper 'Qaran' on 1st January

The number of foreign vessels fishing illegally in southern Somalia, particularly in the waters off the coast of Cadale, Warshiikh and Mogadishu has been increasing. Somali fishermen told `Qaran' that between eight to 10 vessels could be seen fishing every night using powerful nets.

Ise Muhammad Abdullahi (Gobe), a fisherman, said the vessels put off their lights while fishing. He added that when the vessels see local fishing boats, they shoot at them. Source: 'Qaran', Mogadishu, in Somali 1 Jan 00 p 2

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