Foreign fishing vessels operating just outside the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are reaping massive profits, while local fishermen practicing environmentally friendly and sustainable fishing methods are being denied fair value on the international market, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam stated.
Speaking at the 7th edition of the "Ahaa" public forum, Minister Shiyam raised sharp concerns regarding global Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, as well as the unfair market dynamics that prevent the Maldives from securing a premium price for its eco-friendly catch.
Exploitation Outside the EEZ vs. Local Sustainability
Minister Shiyam highlighted the stark contrast between traditional Maldivian fishing practices and destructive foreign operations, clarifying that the unsustainable methods associated with IUU fishing are not practiced in the Maldives.
"The fishing that fits into IUU fishing, recognized across the globe, is not the kind of fishing we do. That is not the fishing practiced in the Maldives," Minister Shiyam emphasized.
He pointed out that foreign industrial vessels frequently operate right along the boundary of the Maldivian EEZ, using massive nets to haul in large quantities of fish. These vessels then transport the catch to other countries for processing, generating significant revenue elsewhere while capitalizing on shared ocean resources.
To reclaim this lost economic value, the Minister raised the question of whether the Maldives should explore longline fishing—for instance, by establishing fishery harbors in southern hubs like Addu City.
"Pole and Line—whether in our generation's tuna fishery or handline fishing—we catch fish without destructive nets. This is the most sustainable fishing done anywhere in the world," he added. "Whether it is handline yellowfin tuna or pole-and-line skipjack, we have been fishing without harming the environment for centuries."
Diluted Certifications and Lost Market Value
Despite securing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifications for both pole-and-line and handline fisheries, Minister Shiyam expressed deep frustration over how international certification bodies are now extending similar endorsements to less sustainable fishing operations as a result of global lobbying groups.
This shift, he noted, has diluted the unique value of Maldivian fish on the global stage.
"Because other countries cannot practice sustainable fishing like this, lobbying groups are enabling MSC certifications for other types of fisheries today," Minister Shiyam stated. "Therefore, even though we have maintained sustainable fishing for ages, we are not receiving the price—the premium—we truly deserve in the global market."
Climate Impacts and Protecting Local Livelihoods
The Minister also addressed the challenges posed by climate change, noting an observable decline in surface-level fishing yields across the region.
To help local fleets adapt to changing ocean conditions, plans were previously discussed under the direction of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to introduce managed longline fishing under strict regulatory safeguards. However, out of deep concern for local fishermen’s livelihoods and potential risks to traditional fishing families, President Muizzu temporarily halted the initiative.
Minister Shiyam concluded by stressing the need for broad national dialogue on how to balance economic opportunities—such as exploring longline fishing—while continuing to safeguard traditional Maldivian fishing families and maintaining the nation's proud legacy of eco-friendly stewardship.
