The number of vessels going out to fish increased significantly with the start of the fishing season, according to statistics from the state-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO).
MIFCO reported that 340 boats sold their catch to the company last week, an increase of 45.3 percent compared to the previous week. In the previous week, 234 vessels supplied fish to MIFCO.
The payments disbursed to fishermen also increased during this period, with a total of USD 1,077,137.87 disbursed last week. This is a 59.8 percent increase compared to the previous week, when USD 673,859.50 was released to fishermen.
According to MIFCO, the highest single-day disbursement was made on Tuesday, when USD 180,134.37 was paid out to 44 fishing vessels.
The growth and development of the fishing industry are a key policy priority of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. To support this vision, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean has launched a special training programme aimed at encouraging the youth to pursue fishing as a career. Five young people under the age of 24 who were not previously on the fishermen's register have been selected to participate in the three-month programme.
The training programme aims to provide opportunities for youth to acquire training and practical skills related to the fisheries sector. The programme will provide technical information on fisheries as well as practical fishing opportunities for participants. Participants will receive hands-on training from some of the country’s most experienced fishermen on skipjack tuna and pole-and-line fishing methods.