President: Implementation of manifesto will resolve issues facing fishermen

The implementation of the administration’s manifesto will resolve the issues facing local fishermen, says President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

President Muizzu made the remark during a meeting on Monday with representatives from the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) – a union of yellowfin tuna fishermen in the Maldives.

President Muizzu said that the purpose of such meetings is to shape the government’s work in accordance with the sentiments of the people.

He said that his administration is working on implementing its manifesto, and that once that’s done, it will provide a holistic solution to the issues facing the fisheries sector.

At the meeting, members of the BKMU welcomed President Muizzu’s decision to drop the administration’s plan to open longline fishing.

They expressed confidence that the implementation of the manifesto will boost the fisheries sector. They also thanked the administration for its efforts to establish an official register of fishermen.

During the meeting, BKMU members expressed concern over the low income from fishing, and the low number of people who enter the field. They also shared concerns over the difficulties in selling their catch, and in obtaining hygiene approvals for vessels.

They also asked the government to establish a floor price for fish sales, provide buoys for yellowfin tuna fisheries, and protect areas that fishermen use to catch bait.

The meeting was also attended by senior officials from the Fisheries Ministry.

During the meeting, the participants discussed ways to address the concerns raised by the members of BKMU.

President Muizzu provided assurance he will address the concerns.

Last week, the president dropped plans to reopen longline fishing in Maldives following concern from the BKMU.

The cabinet made the decision to open longline fishing for yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna on June 13. The Fisheries Ministry subsequently released draft regulations, which included provisions for the management of bycatch species such as sharks. While targeted shark fishing remains prohibited, the regulation allowed for non-targeted bycatch species, including sharks, caught in longline fishing to be landed and processed in specially licensed facilities.

The plan to reopen longline fishing had sparked concern from fishermen, as well as tourism and environmental groups.

The BKMU said that reopening longline fisheries would allow large foreign fisheries companies to dominate the sector and crowd out local fishermen.

Maldives opened longline fisheries in 2012. But the practice was banned again in 2019.