The Southern National Dialogue Team, headed by Mr. Abdul Salam Qasim Mas'ad, the team's head, met today, Wednesday, in the capital Aden, with representatives of the Cooperative Union of Southern Fishermen.

Mr. Mas'ad welcomed the meeting with senior leaders of the Fishermen's Cooperative Union, emphasizing that the Southern National Dialogue Team attaches importance to cooperative unions, supports their formation and efforts to unify their work, and seeks appropriate solutions to the problems they face in accordance with the outcomes of the Southern Consultative Meeting.

The Dialogue Team was briefed by the leaders of the Fishermen's Union on the preparations for the conference of the Southern Fishermen's Union, as well as the difficulties facing the fishermen's work, including the impact of the repercussions of terrorist activities in the Red Sea on maritime fishing operations, the economic situation, and the livelihoods of citizens.

The attendees clarified that the use of terrorist Houthi militias of explosive-laden boats in targeting and piracy operations in the Red Sea has led international forces to tighten their security measures, resulting in fishermen being held accountable. This has greatly limited fishing operations due to the security measures at sea and significantly weakened fish production, raising concerns about the fishermen's well-being and its negative impact on fish availability in the local market.

The meeting also discussed the negative effects of pollution from sewage water in fish farms caused by the construction of residential cities near fish farming basins in Al-Bariqah. They emphasized the urgency of the responsible authorities fulfilling their responsibilities in protecting fish farming basins and production and maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

The meeting highlighted the importance of activating monitoring and supervision of the fish market through cooperation and coordination with relevant authorities in this field, as well as following special standards in ensuring the quality and preservation of fish and the safety of their consumption, especially those transported to rural areas.