Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has warned of strict penalties for those who use fishing vessels for illegal activities. In a notice, the Fisheries Ministry said it has received information that some vessels registered for fishing purposes are being used in illegal activities highlighting that the Ministry will invalidate the license of such vessels.
The government of Maldives has the authority to terminate the license issued to a vessel based on the magnitude of the offense, if such a vessel or any person on board such a vessel has been found to have acted, or to be acting or planning to act in a manner that might endanger the peace or security of the country, according to the Fisheries Act of Maldives.
In this regard, Fisheries Ministry reminded all fishing vessels that it is prohibited to use vessels registered under the license for any illegal activities and adviced to refrain from such activities.