Fishing is the third-largest economic activity in the Maldives. However, until recently, the significant challenges faced by the industry has not been adequately addressed by any administration.
A major concern for years has been the difficulty fishermen face in receiving timely payment for their catch. While the current administration under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, has pledged to address this issue and pay fishermen for their catch within 48 hours of fish purchase, critics have questioned the feasibility of this promise. However, the administration has delivered on this pledge, with President Dr Muizzu announcing the pledge as successfully fulfilled on Fishermen’s Day 2024. Since then, fishermen have consistently received payments within the promised 48-hour timeframe.
The current administration will undoubtedly go down in history as the administration to bring about transformative changes to the fisheries sector within its first in office. This administration has increased fishermen’s participation and contributions to the sector through Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO), which has been upgraded as a 100-percent government owned company. Efforts are also ongoing to compile a national registry of fishermen.
Within the first year of administration, a 100-percent government-owned company designated for promoting fish products and increasing fishing sector revenue has also been established.
While it is also a pledge of the government to train one rescue diver for every fishing boat, 56 rescue divers — one each for 56 boats— have already been successfully trained in the first batch as part of the Week 14 Roadmap.
The government has also designated four areas as mariculture development zones. These zones include islands and lagoons in the following areas:
- Boduthiladhunmathi (Haa Dhaalu and Shaviyani Atoll) Mariculture Zone
- Maalhos Madulu Uthuruburi (Raa Atoll) Mariculture Zone
- Malaku Atoll (Meemu Atoll) Mariculture Zone
- Kolhumadulu Atoll (Thaa Atoll) Mariculture Zone
The current administration’s manifesto has emphasised that every fishermen will be recognised by the government. As part of these efforts, loan facilities are now available for grouper fishery and the installation of RSW systems on fishing vessels to address the issue of ice shortage.
The primary challenge faced in getting the best benefit from the fisheries industry is the lack of capacity to store and process fish in the Maldives. The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources under President Muizzu’s government is giving special priority to increase the fish storage capacity to 25,000 tonnes over the next five years, and establishing more fish processing plants.
Building human capacity in the fisheries sector is also a high priority for the government. A special college under the Maldives National University (MNU) is being established to commence fisheries-related courses under efforts to equip the youth with skills and knowledge required to advance the industry.