President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to revitalise the Maldivian fishing industry by prioritising local employment and reducing reliance on foreign workers.
Speaking at the national Fishermen’s Day official ceremony, the President emphasised his vision to return the sector to its roots as a "locals-only" industry, once dominated solely by Maldivians.
Historically, fishing has been a cornerstone of the Maldives’ economy and culture. However, in recent years, the number of Maldivians engaged in the profession has declined, leading to an influx of foreign labour in the sector.
Addressing this shift, President Muizzu declared that his administration is committed to reversing the trend by introducing incentives to attract more Maldivians, particularly the youth, into the industry.
"I want this industry to become a locals-only industry again," the President stated.
"Right now, we are forced to employ foreigners on fishing boats due to necessity. This is not the ideal situation. Our goal is to overcome this challenge through targeted government policies."
To encourage greater local participation, the government plans to introduce national awards, financial incentives, and improved financing facilities for fishermen. The President also assured that his administration is addressing the underlying reasons behind the departure of Maldivians from the sector, including timely payments for their catch.
"We are fulfilling all our promises to the fishing community," President Muizzu affirmed, vowing to implement measures within his term to ensure that fishing vessels are once again fully crewed by Maldivians.