The fishing industry in Yemen is one of four promising sectors with significant potential to achieve diversification in the country economy and in realizing job-creating pro-poor economic growth for the country’s socio-economic development. The long coastline of 2,520 kilometres is endowed with diverse coastal habitats and harbours a rich marine resource wealth (UNDP, 2012).

Due to high productivity and a long fishing tradition, it is of major importance for the Yemeni economy. The sector is consistently identified as a key sector in the country’s development, contributing to poverty reduction. Furthermore, after petroleum products, fishery exports constitute 15% of total export and are considered as a major source of employment, income and food security throughout the coastal zone. The fishing industry is dominated by small-scale enterprises which currently support the livelihoods of an estimated 83,400 small-scale  and 583,600 of their household members, for a total of about 667,000 people. Yemen was classified as major regional fish producer, accounting more than 50% of fish production and exports across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SUN MOPIC, 2019).

Recommendations by the study

• Promote the Creation or Expansion of SMEs
• Increase Youth and Women Access to Resources, Economic Empowerment Opportunities and Internship
• Promote the SMEs by Developing Integrated Partnerships and Joint Venture of Actors in the Value Chain
• Promoting Efficient Partnerships
• Improving the Economic Status of Small Fisher Households to Create Sustainable Economic Opportunities for Poor Women, Youth and Men in Fishing Communities
• Building Capacity of SMEs in Sales and CRM Strategy
• Women Mainstreaming in Fishery Industry
• Improve Fishery Sector Policy, Institutional Management and Humanitarian Response
• Improve Market Functionality and Access Opportunities
• Strengthening Favourable Investment Climate