The Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) has launched a protest demanding the current government fulfill its promises to yellowfin tuna fishermen.
Forty-nine yellowfin tuna fishing vessels are participating in this protest, which began at 9:30 am today at the Hulhumale' yellowfin tuna jetty. The protesters are demanding that MIFCO start buying yellowfin tuna, set a minimum purchase price between MVR 80 and MVR 100, arrange for fishermen to get fuel at the STO base rate, and establish an easy arrangement for obtaining ice.
Leading figures of the protest, held under the slogan "Then Nuvaane. Then Nufureyne" (It won't happen anymore. We won't set sail anymore), stated that they will not stop the protest until a solution is found for their concerns. As the protesting vessels attempted to leave the Hulhumale' yellowfin tuna jetty and enter the harbor, the Coast Guard has now closed the main channel of Male'.
The current government is doing a lot of work to listen to fishermen and resolve issues related to them. Arrangements have been made to regularly pay for the fish bought from fishermen, provide loans to fishermen through BML, provide special loans for fishermen, and provide loans to install RSW systems on vessels. Furthermore, while the project to arrange fuel for fishermen at the STO base rate is underway, MIFCO has reduced the price of fuel sold to fishermen starting today. In addition, the government has started work to expand fish storage facilities and establish new fish factories. This includes the fish market being established in Hulhumale' specifically for yellowfin tuna fishermen.
