The Ministry of Fisheries has ordered all ice plants operating to supply ice to fishermen to obtain an ice plant operating license.
In a circular published by the Ministry of Fisheries on 29 September 2024, under the "Regulation on Licensing Fisheries-Related Activities," it was determined that parties currently operating ice plants must obtain a license. The circular requested that these operators apply for the ice plant operating license in writing or via email before 15 October 2024.
Referencing that circular, the Ministry of Fisheries today published another circular regarding the issuance of licenses for operating ice plants. The circular states that projects to establish ice plants to supply ice to fishermen are activities that require permission under the Regulation on Permitting the Establishment of Fisheries Projects before commencement. Therefore, it instructs that such projects must be carried out after obtaining regular permission from the Ministry prior to their start. Furthermore, it instructs that before the established ice plant begins providing services, an ice plant operating license must be obtained under the Regulation on Licensing Fisheries-Related Activities.
It has also been determined that parties currently operating ice plants must obtain a license under the "Regulation on Licensing Fisheries-Related Activities." Consequently, the Ministry has requested that, along with obtaining the ice plant operating license, operators regularly submit daily ice plant information reports to the Ministry. In this regard, currently operational ice plants are reminded to regularly send required information, such as the amount of ice sold and details of the vessels to which ice was sold, once a month using the "Ice Plant Daily Information Form" provided by the Ministry.
Parties wishing to clarify further information regarding this matter can do so by calling the Ministry of Fisheries at 3339214 or 3339215, or by emailing fids@fisheries.gov.mv.
According to the Regulation on Licensing Fisheries-Related Activities, applications for an ice plant operating license must be submitted through the Fisheries Information System (FIS) "Keyolha" software. Licenses for selling or supplying ice to fishing vessels are issued for a period of 36 months. A fee of 500 Rufiyaa is charged for the license. Under this license, ice can only be issued at the times and locations specified in the license, and solely for conducting the fisheries-related activities stated in the license. A copy of the license must be displayed publicly at the licensed facility, and the original or a copy of the license must be shown if requested by a Fisheries Enforcement Officer or a Fisheries Ranger. If a licensed party repeatedly commits an offense for a third time, their license will be revoked. The license can only be reissued to that party after a suspension period of 3 months from the date of revocation.
The Regulation on Permitting the Establishment of Fisheries Projects and the Regulation on Licensing Fisheries-Related Activities, formulated under the Maldives Fisheries Act, aim to ensure that fisheries projects conducted in the Maldives are designed to beneficially impact the Maldivian fisheries industry. These regulations were established with the objective of defining the procedures to be followed in obtaining permission to establish fisheries projects and acquiring licenses to operate the facilities established under those projects, implementing these processes through robust guidelines.
