Huvadhoo Atoll is the atoll with the highest number of fishing vessels in the Maldives, proportionally. Looking at Gaafu Dhaalu and Gaafu Alifu, there are about 150 vessels that regularly engage in fishing.
Given this situation, the most difficult challenge currently facing Huvadhoo fishermen is the issue of not getting enough fuel to go fishing. Due to the severity of the fuel shortage, many vessels are unable to go fishing today. Previously, vessels could get fuel on credit as much as they wanted from MIFCO's Mahaa Kalaminja and Kooddoo Fisheries Complex (KFC). However, at present, fuel is not available on credit or for purchase from Mahaa Kalaminja at all. Looking at Kooddoo, fuel is not given on credit. Currently, that facility is selling fuel on a controlled basis. That is, 1,000 litres of fuel per vessel. In other words, 5 barrels of fuel.
"Many vessels in Huvadhoo are above 500 horsepower. For example, Faresmaathodaa, Gadhdhoo, Kanduhulhudhoo, Gemanafushi, from each of these islands, it takes a 30-nautical-mile journey to reach Kooddoo. That is 60 nautical miles for a round trip. We have to burn 3 barrels of fuel to go and buy 5 barrels of fuel. So, looking at the expenses, this is not feasible at all, especially during this period of poor fishing. Many vessels are grounded without a way to make ends meet," a Huvadhoo captain said.
Then, the only place in the atoll where fuel is available with a subsidy is Thinadhoo City. Even travelling to Thinadhoo, it's the same situation. Therefore, the biggest hardship currently facing Huvadhoo fishermen is the lack of a way to get fuel. And, since Kooddoo is not giving fuel on credit and is selling it on a controlled basis, there is no way to go fishing as usual.
It is reported that Kooddoo has had to sell fuel on a controlled basis because they have not paid the bills for the fuel taken on credit from STO, and therefore are not getting enough fuel. But this is not something the fishermen should be held responsible for under any circumstances. The reason is that previously, MIFCO would deduct the money for the fuel that fishermen took on credit from Kooddoo, or the fuel that Kooddoo issued to fishermen on credit, and then pay the debt bills for the vessels. If that is the case, the unpaid bills to STO are due to the negligence of MIFCO's finance department. In this matter, the Kooddoo management is now telling fishermen that there is no profit for the company in selling fuel to fishermen from there, and that it is an expensive operation. Fishermen see this as a signal that Kooddoo is about to stop selling fuel.
"The manager of Kooddoo is saying that issuing or selling fuel from there is a loss for MIFCO. Stopping the arrangement of issuing fuel to fishermen is not the wise thing to do here. The wise thing is to arrange things in a way that doesn't cause a loss, and issue or sell fuel to fishermen on credit, or make a way to get money immediately for the fish weighed at Kooddoo. Stopping the sale of fuel is not a solution. The previous management of MIFCO, Adil Saleem and others, gave great importance to finding good ways for fishermen. The current management is doing nothing to find relief for fishermen," a Huvadhoo captain said.
The Huvadhoo captain said that if money was given immediately for the fish weighed at Kooddoo or Mahaa Kalaminja, they wouldn't have to complain about not getting fuel today. That is because if they got the price for the fish immediately, they could prepare for fishing in advance looking at the profit, and manage the vessel's expenses. And, because it has become a habit to give money for the fish weighed at MIFCO a month later, after paying off debts, there is no money left to spend on upcoming trips, the captain said.
"Let's say we usually load 10 barrels of fuel for a trip. That is, depending on the bait fishing and fishing conditions, sometimes we have to travel very far. However, how can we start a trip with money we don't have in hand? If MIFCO gave money immediately, this would be nothing. We wouldn't complain. Should they stop selling fuel because it's a loss for MIFCO? What about the loss to us? MIFCO is doing things however they please right now," a Huvadhoo captain said.
The captain said that neither MIFCO nor the government is seen taking adequate steps for the progress of the fishing industry. When the second largest industry in the Maldives is coming to a halt, neither MIFCO nor the government is showing any way forward for the fishermen, the captain said. As a result, many youths who were previously active in the fishing industry have left the industry and started going to formal jobs, and the captain describes this as a huge loss for sustainable fishing. Many youths are getting off the vessels because MIFCO is delaying the payment of money, and they can no longer rely on fishing to fulfill their basic living needs, the captain said.
The captain says the solution to everything related to fishermen is to find a way to get money quickly for the weighed fish. The policy of this government is to release money within at least 48 hours of weighing the fish. But that is not how things happen. Every time money is released to fishermen, it is after fishermen protest or demonstrate somewhere in the Maldives. The government that came with the promise of making fishermen a respectable group accepted by the state has now made fishermen second-class citizens. Both the government and MIFCO do whatever they want. They don't listen to a single complaint from fishermen. They give a little money on whatever day they feel like it. Both MIFCO and the government make all the expenses they have to make. However, when it comes to fishermen, there is no money. MIFCO says it's because cash flow is tight. The government says it's because the financial situation is poor. However, does the cash flow get tight and the financial situation get poor only when it's time to give money to fishermen? Or does the government's financial situation get poor only when it comes to the fishing industry? Is it not possible to release money to fishermen unless they fall at the feet of the government with a begging bowl, beg, and cry? These are the questions fishermen are repeatedly asking now. There is no one in this country brave enough to be accountable in this matter. At the very least, the person appointed by the government to coordinate fishermen's affairs cannot say a word unless it's political or to promote the government. He didn't have the courage to say a word in a matter concerning fishermen or to say something in defense of fishermen's rights. After lowering the price of fish and promising to give money to fishermen every two weeks, he has forgotten about the fishermen, the captain said.
