Fisheries Minister: Did not permit certain country to fish in Maldivian waters

Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan on Monday stated that vessels have not been permitted to fish in Maldivian waters simple because they were from a particular country.

The Fisheries Minister was summoned to the Parliament to question the work of the ministry.

During the chance given to put forth questions for the minister, MP for Hoarafushi Ahmed Saleem asked whether Indian vessels have been allowed to illegally fish in Maldives, and whether there could be any circumstance where a vessel illegally fishing would be let go if it was from India.

Responding to this, the minister said no such opportunity was granted for any vessels.

Elaborating further, Dr Hussain noted that Maldives and India share a border and that there were less than 200 miles between both countries. He added that they have received complaints of Indian vessels entering the border from local fishermen.

However, based on the information from Coast Guard, such a thing has not come to light.

“We do get complaints from [local] fishermen of Indian fishing vessels crossing the Maldivian border or coming close to it. But the Coast Guard has not notified of any such incidents.”

Additionally, Minister Dr Hussain since the implementation of the Fisheries Act of Maldives, one vessel has been stopped while action was taken against five others.

He further stressed that just because a vessel belonged to a certain country, there would be no instance where the laws are not implemented.

“The law does not allow to give special permits to boats from a certain country. We have taken any necessary steps as per the laws, regardless of whomever, which nation or whichever boat.”