Collector vessels to weigh catch from southern fishermen following temporary closure of Kooddoo

Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) has revealed collector vessels will be weighing the catch by southern fishermen until the facility in Kooddoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll can be reopened.

Speaking to PSM News, General Manager of MIFCO Ahmed Nawaz Rasheed noted weighing and purchasing of fish at Kooddoo Fisheries Complex has been suspended due to the detection of several COVID-19 cases in the island. Nawaz said collector vessels will be active in the Kooddoo harbour to weigh the catch of southern fishermen in the meantime, while three more collector vessels will be active across the atolls. He added the fish weighed by collector vessels are quickly brought to the facility in Kooddoo without affecting the quality of the catch.

Speaking further, Nawaz noted the temporary closure of Kooddoo has also suspended the sale of ice to fishermen through the facility. However, Nawaz said fishermen can still buy ice through MIFCO’s facilities in Kolamaafushi and Gemanafushi in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Thinadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Addu City.

COVID-19 cases were first detected in Kooddoo on June 11. So far, 91 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Kooddoo. The island currently has 60 active cases.

Kooddoo is the main fisheries hub in the southern atolls. As such, southern fishermen rely heavily on Kooddoo Fisheries Complex to weigh and sell their catch, and to purchase ice.