Gadhdhoo Ice Plant begins issuing queue numbers for fish weighing at Kooddoo

The MIFCO ice plant in GDh. Gadhdhoo has started issuing queue numbers for vessels wishing to weigh their catch at the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) Kooddoo Fisheries Complex.

In a message shared with fishermen tonight, MIFCO stated that with fishing currently very good and vessels queuing to weigh their catch, the issuance of queue numbers via the Gadhdhoo Ice Plant has been initiated to make it easier for vessels to obtain a queue number.

Previously, queue numbers were issued from the Kooddoo jetty and the GDh. Thinadhoo ice plant. With the commencement of queue number issuance from Gadhdhoo tonight, it is now possible to get queue numbers for weighing fish at Kooddoo from three locations.

MIFCO made this decision because vessels have had to wait in queue for several days to weigh fish at Kooddoo, causing delays in the weighing process. Over the past two days, queue numbers taken for weighing fish at Kooddoo have had a waiting period of 10 days. Due to this, fishermen have been criticizing MIFCO and raising their voices on various platforms. Some fishermen allege that this is being done deliberately because payments are currently being issued within 48 hours, and if the volume of weighed fish increases significantly, there is no guarantee that payments can be disbursed.

With fishing improving in Huvadhoo Atoll and vessels from other parts of the Maldives also operating in the area, some vessels are now traveling to the Maandhoo Fish Factory in L. Atoll to weigh their catch because they are unable to do so at Kooddoo. Huvadhoo fishermen note that this is a highly disadvantageous journey in every respect.