The Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, has underscored the need to elevate support for small-scale fisheries on a global stage.
The Minister made the remark at a special session on promoting sustainable small-scale fisheries management initiated by the Maldives held on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference.
The session featured presentation of case studies from governments, regional and international stakeholders on efforts to plan, operate and manage sustainable small-scale fisheries. Possible measures that can be taken by other countries based on these experiences were discussed.
Speaking at the session, Minister Shiyam said the development of small-scale fisheries and investment in fisheries should be advocated for in the international arena. However, topic remains a marginal topic, mostly discussed on the sidelines of international conferences, he noted. The Minister added that fishermen operating on a small scale are lagging behind in policies, investment and innovation, and stressed the need for change. He also highlighted the Maldives’ own efforts to develop the fisheries sector through science and technology.
During the session, Director General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Dr Hussain Sinan highlighted the Maldivian government’s commitment to organise and implement fisheries through sustainable fisheries principles and equality. He also noted the efforts being made to facilitate access to international markets for fish products, and to manage fisheries in such a way that the profits from small-scale fisheries are distributed to the entire society.
Stressing the importance of maintaining fisheries statistics, Dr Sinan confirmed ongoing efforts to digitise the fisheries statistics being collected and maintained in the Maldives since the 1950s. This is an important step towards sustainable management of fisheries in the Maldives, he said.
During the session, Indonesia's Director-General of Capture Fisheries shared the fishing practices in Indonesia. He also shared Indonesia’s experience in promoting the blue economy through allocating quotas, increasing stakeholder participation and collaborating with international partners.
Regional organisations also participated in the meeting. The meeting was attended by the Director of the Bay of Bengal Programme - Intergovernmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO)’s Director Dr Krishnan, who outlined strategies to develop and empower small-scale fisheries at the regional level. He also announced that BOBP-IGO will assist its member nations in developing national action plans for small-scale fisheries.
Assistant Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Dr Manuel Baranj also spoke at the session. In his speech, Dr Baranj highlighted the tools the FAO has developed to improve the growth and development of fishing communities. He pledged the FAO’s full support to BOBP-IGO’s national action plan efforts.