The Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) has warned that the yellowfin tuna fishing industry could collapse if the government fails to find sustainable solutions to the concerns of yellowfin tuna fishermen.
In a statement released regarding the union's annual general meeting, it was stated that despite working in various ways with the government and relevant authorities to resolve the issues faced by yellowfin tuna fishermen, no progress has been made so far. Furthermore, the union's members believe that the government's fishing company, MIFCO, buying, exporting, and marketing yellowfin tuna, setting a minimum floor price for yellowfin tuna, changing government policies to reduce fishing expenses, and eliminating discrimination among fishermen are ways the yellowfin tuna fishing industry can progress in many ways, the statement noted.
Believing these to be the best options for yellowfin tuna fishermen, the statement highlighted that this government's promises to yellowfin tuna fishermen included MIFCO starting to buy yellowfin tuna, setting the minimum buying price at MVR 80 and MVR 100, providing fuel to fishermen at a base rate, and arranging easy access to ice.
"It is an undeniable fact that they won the election with massive support from fishermen by including such promises and campaigning on them. However, no work done to date has shown any light at the end of the tunnel for yellowfin tuna fishermen, leading to despair," the BKMU statement noted.
The BKMU stated that since the government has ignored the concerns of yellowfin tuna fishermen and failed to provide solutions, they call on the government to fulfill the promises made to yellowfin tuna fishermen. Furthermore, the union's members have decided to raise their voices and protest for the rights of yellowfin tuna fishermen after the union's annual meeting, which will be held on Fishermen's Day this year, December 10.
The BKMU is a union established to protect, promote, and sustain the yellowfin tuna fishing industry and the rights of fishermen, and to work in the interests of hardworking fishermen for the sustainable benefit of yellowfin tuna fishermen and the Maldivian fishing industry.
Looking at the efforts being made to implement the government's promises to fishermen, work is underway to arrange for fuel to be available at the STO base rate in one inhabited island in every atoll by the end of March next year. While efforts are being made to resolve difficulties in obtaining ice within the next two years, MIFCO is also preparing to buy yellowfin tuna. In addition, the government is preparing to establish a yellowfin tuna factory in Hulhumale.
