The Maldivian tuna fishery has received a special rating from "Seafood Watch".
The Ministry of Fisheries stated that the Monterey Bay Aquarium's "Seafood Watch" program has assigned a special rating to the Maldives' tuna fishery in its latest published standards, noting that this is the first time in the history of "Seafood Watch" that a rating has been specifically designated for a single country's tuna fishery.
In the newly released guidelines by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's "Seafood Watch" program, which is referenced by American seafood companies and other buyers, the tuna fishery conducted in the Maldives has been designated as a sustainable fishery. The Fisheries Ministry stated that despite concerns regarding the sustainability of tuna fisheries in various parts of the Indian Ocean, Maldivian fishery products have been rated as the "Best Choice" for tuna trade across the entire region. The Fisheries Ministry highlighted that this rating is the result of years of hard work by Maldivian fishermen, fish buyers and processors, and the government, and marks a historic advancement for the Maldives in the global assessment of sustainable fisheries.
With this advancement, opportunities will open up for Maldivian fish exporters to enter the North American market, which is one of the most notable global markets for sustainably produced tuna products. Furthermore, at a time when global markets are increasingly focusing on sustainable fisheries, this rating will pave the way for securing better prices for Maldivian tuna products and gaining a competitive edge internationally.
Commenting on this, Minister of Fisheries Ahmed Shiyam stated that this is a proud moment for the Maldives, and that receiving the first-ever country-specific rating from "Seafood Watch" is evidence that the Maldives' fishery model, built on sustainability and responsibility, is internationally recognized. The Minister also noted that this is the sweet reward of the efforts made by Maldivian fishermen in building the economy and protecting the marine environment.
While this change serves as a boost to the government's efforts to advance and develop the Maldivian fishing industry, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification previously awarded to the Maldives' pole-and-line skipjack fishery was also granted to the Maldives' handline yellowfin tuna fishery last month.
