The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources has announced that the Maldives is preparing to host the 30th session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) this month.
According to an announcement released by the Ministry regarding the IOTC session, the meeting will be held from the 4th to the 15th of this month at Barceló Nasandhura. This marks the first time an IOTC Commission session is being held in the Maldives.
In addition to the main IOTC session, the Ministry stated that meetings of other important committees operating under the IOTC are also scheduled to be held in the Maldives. These meetings include:
• The 23rd session of the IOTC Compliance Committee
• The 23rd session of the IOTC Standing Committee on Administration and Finance
• The 10th session of the IOTC Technical Committee on Management Procedures
More than 200 delegates, fisheries sector experts, and senior officials from Indian Ocean coastal states and around the world will participate in these meetings.
The Ministry noted that the decision to host this session in the Maldives is an important opportunity to further strengthen the Maldivian fisheries industry and the role the Maldives plays in the international arena, describing it as a major advancement for the country's fisheries sector.
This significant opportunity for the Maldives comes as a result of the important efforts being made by the current administration, spearheaded by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, to advance the fisheries industry. The Ministry stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided to host an important meeting like the IOTC in the Maldives due to the benefits it will bring to the fisheries industry and its overall significance. The Ministry also highlighted that the government is bearing all expenses for hosting this meeting, which demonstrates its importance.
The IOTC is a regional fisheries management organization responsible for the conservation and sustainable management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. Decisions made by the IOTC include measures for the robust management of tuna resources in the region, setting catch limits, and establishing guidelines for conducting scientific research. The Ministry added that these decisions will pave the way for sustaining tuna populations and increasing the benefits of the fisheries industry for future generations.
