The General Authority for Fisheries in the Arabian Sea is a governmental body established by Republican Decree No. (9) of 2001. It operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries. The Authority’s scope of work lies within the waters of the Arabian Sea, encompassing the governorates of Hadhramaut, Shabwa, and the Socotra Archipelago. It plays a pivotal role in managing, regulating, and developing the fisheries sector in this rich marine expanse.

The Authority seeks to achieve sustainable and responsible use of marine resources by developing and implementing policies and legislation regulating fishing operations, monitoring fisheries, and issuing various licenses (fisherman’s license, sailor’s license, boat license, fishing company license, etc.), in addition to supervising the regulation of local fish markets and external exports.

The Authority pays special attention to protecting the marine environment from depletion and pollution. It works to strengthen the capacities of traditional fishermen and provide them with technical and awareness-raising support. It also implements partnership projects with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), with the aim of improving livelihoods and enhancing food security in coastal communities.

The Authority also actively participates in representing Yemen in international exhibitions and events specializing in the fisheries sector, such as the Seafood Expo in Barcelona, promoting Yemeni fish and opening new markets for local products. This contributes to supporting the national economy and achieving sustainable development returns.

Through its vision of transparency, efficiency, and partnership, the Authority continues to implement its programs and strategic plans to advance the fisheries sector, preserve marine biodiversity, and serve fishermen and coastal communities with professionalism and responsibility.