Somalia only recently, in June 2014, declared its EEZ in line with UNCLOS. Somalia did not previously have internationally recognized authority over its offshore waters (between 12 and 200 nautical miles). As a result, foreign fishing in these waters, while exploitative in nature, was not illegal. It was, however, unregulated and often unreported. With the recent declaration of the EEZ, fishing vessels seeking to fish in Somali waters are now required to purchase a license. While this is a big step in the right direction, it does not overcome the challenges of IUU fishing in Somalia’s waters.