Minister announces tuna processing facility work to begin next month

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has announced that the practical work on establishing a facility for processing skipjack tuna (yellowfin, locally known as <i>bodukanneli</i>) in Hulhumalé will commence next month. The Minister made this statement in a post on X while tuna fishermen were protesting today, demanding that MIFCO (Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company) begin purchasing their catch.

The Minister acknowledged that the biggest concerns for the tuna fishermen are the prolonged delays in receiving payments for fish sold to private companies and the drop in tuna prices when fishing yields are high. The fishermen's main proposal to resolve this is for the government to increase its role in the tuna trade and swiftly fulfill its promises to them.

Minister Shiyam confirmed that the government is making the necessary preparations to begin the practical work on the Hulhumalé tuna processing facility in January next year. This initiative is part of the government's efforts to address the fishermen's concerns.

The Minister also mentioned that, under the special instruction of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, and fulfilling a long-standing request from tuna fishermen since June of last year, State Trading Organization (STO) has arranged to supply fuel in the Malé area. Furthermore, he assured that arrangements will be finalized by March next year to ensure fishermen can access fuel at the STO rate in at least one island in every atoll. Shiyam acknowledged that much more remains to be done for the industry's development.

Minister Shiyam concluded with an optimistic outlook: "Prosperous days are ahead for fishing families. This government is committed to finding meaningful solutions to the concerns of all types of fishermen in the Maldives."

The protest underway involves 49 fishing vessels gathered in the outer waters of Malé. The protest, themed "No sailing anymore, no more ," demands that MIFCO start buying the tuna catch or that the government engages in discussions with the fishermen to find alternative solutions. The fishermen have stated that the protest will continue until their demands receive a comprehensive response.

This is not the first protest by tuna fishermen; similar demonstrations occurred during Fishermen's Day last year and involved boats entering the Malé lagoon in June of last year, sparked by a government decision to permit the use of longline fishing.