Longline fishing banned in the area north of Alifushi

The regulation permitting longline fisheries in the Maldives has come into effect, however, longline fishing will be banned in all areas north of R. Alifushi.

The ban is in light of the fact that the area is considered as the best area for handline yellowfin tuna fisheries.

As per the regulation, longline fishing will be allowed in the areas within 100 miles of the Maldives' archipelagic baseline and the area south of the six degrees north latitude in the entire EEZ of Maldives.

The regulation states longline fisheries must not be conducted in a manner that obstructs those engaged in pole and line fishing or handline fishing.

Moreover, landline fishing is only allowed for yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna and swordfish.

Fishing vessels engaging in longline fishing with an all-Maldivian crew will not have to pay the quota fee.

Prior to this, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has said that longline fisheries will further boost the fisheries sector’s revenue.