Yemen’s fisheries sector, one of the main sources of food and income for coastal communities, has been severely strained by years of conflict and climate pressures. Damaged landing sites, limited access to ice and cold storage, rising fuel costs, and weakened transportation networks have made it difficult for fishers to earn a stable living and keep fish affordable for local markets. Yet across the coastline, a quiet recovery is underway. Through the $45 million Sustainable Fishery Development in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SFISH) Program, the World Bank and partners such as UNDP and the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service (SMEPS), are helping communities regain stability and build long-term resilience.
"SFISH has transformed livelihoods across Yemen. By rebuilding critical infrastructure, revitalizing fishing value chains, generating jobs, and securing food systems, it is making a tangible difference for thousands of households," said Maria Sarraf, Regional Manager, World Bank.
A Sector Facing Enormous Strain
Before conflict erupted in 2014, Yemen was a major regional player in fisheries, driven largely by artisanal fishers. Fisheries were the country’s second-largest export sector, contributing 3% percent of GDP and providing jobs and livelihoods to 1.7 million people. Years of war, weak regulation, and rising fuel costs have devastated the sector -damaging boats, landing sites, and cold storage facilities while driving food insecurity. Exports have fallen by 25%, and catches could drop a further 23% by mid-century.
Meanwhile the number of fishers has dramatically increased, adding pressure to the limited resources. In the Gulf of Aden alone, the number of fishers increased from 8,000 to 13,000 in the last two decades. Climate change accelerated the challenges, with acidification and warmer seas reducing fish stocks. Yet the sea remains both a lifeline and a source of hope.
Empowering Fishers and Entrepreneurs
Since the project’s launch, nearly 4,000 fishers and entrepreneurs have received support from SFISH, enabling them to increase productivity and incomes. So far, the project has contributed to the creation and improvement of over 7,300 jobs.
Among the beneficiaries, over 800 female entrepreneurs received funding to help them adopt modern, sustainable practices while opening business opportunities along the fish value chain.
For Anwar, a mother of five, the impact has been transformative.
"The grant opened doors for my family's livelihood and improved our economic situation. Before the training, I had no experience or capital. Now, with the tools and knowledge gained, we can create and produce more effectively.”
The project is rehabilitating nine landing sites, each serving up to 1,500 fishers, allowing fishers to reduce post-harvest losses and ease market access. At the Al Qurn Governorate site - long neglected since its construction in 1998 - new auction halls, sanitation facilities, and utility networks have been restored, along with flood-protection walls to boost climate resilience. These upgrades are improving working conditions, reducing spoilage, and increasing incomes for fishers and traders.
SFISH has promoted sustainable business models along the value chain. In Al Mahra Governorate, the Bawazir Ice & Fish Preservation Factory installed a solar-power system with SFISH support, cutting energy costs by one quarter. The switch improved reliability, created local jobs, and reduced carbon emissions.
"We faced many challenges. Sometimes, the factory would have to stop because of the fuel shortage. There’s a clear difference between how the factory operated before and how it works now with solar energy. Production increased, prices are lower, and both buyers and fishermen are pleased," said Abdullah Omar Ba Wazir, owner of Bawazir.
In Hadramout Governorate, the Al-Sahel Packaging Facility has become a success story. With SFISH support, daily output increased by 300%, new markets have opened, and products have diversified. The facility is now pursuing international certification to meet global standards and expand exports.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration
Beyond national interventions, SFISH is supporting regional efforts in collaboration with the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERGSA) to strengthen fisheries management and marine sustainability.
A regional protocol signed by Djibouti, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen is strengthening fish-stock data. In parallel, a regional action plan to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing has been developed, along with a regional contingency plan for oil and chemical spills to enhance preparedness and environmental protection.
Toward a Resilient and Sustainable Future
Despite years of conflict and climate pressures, Yemen’s fisheries remain a source of food, identity, and dignity. The SFISH program is helping communities rebuild that foundation and shape a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future.
SFISH is exploring aquaculture to reduce pressure on wild fisheries. Community-based fisheries management plans are underway, and mariculture opportunities such as spiny lobster and sea cucumber farming have been identified.
The program’s results demonstrate that even in the most challenging circumstances, progress can take root.
