The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification has been expanded to include the Maldives' pole-and-line and handline yellowfin tuna fisheries, in addition to the pole-and-line skipjack tuna fishery.
Although the Maldives' pole-and-line yellowfin tuna fishery received this certification in 2014, it was suspended in 2017 and subsequently revoked after the Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna population was determined to be depleted in 2016. The Maldives lost this certification because its fishery is considered part of the regional population managed by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) at the Indian Ocean level.
The Maldives Seafood Processors and Exporters Association (MSPEA), which represents the main stakeholders in the Maldivian fisheries sector and leads the effort to obtain MSC certification for Maldivian fisheries, stated that since 2021, the association has been doing important work to sustain the yellowfin tuna fishery through the 'Fishery Improvement Project' (FIP) listed on 'FisheryProgress.org'. Furthermore, all assessments conducted every six months under this project have achieved an "A" rating, or the highest level of progress, so far.
Key Achievements:
Sustaining and replenishing fish populations (MSC Principle 1), and minimizing the environmental impact of fishing (MSC Principle 2).
Upholding human rights and social responsibility standards.
According to MSPEA, the latest scientific studies by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) have confirmed that fishing is not occurring at a level that burdens the Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna population. The reaffirmation of this result, noted in early 2024, was a crucial factor that paved the way for regaining the MSC certification, MSPEA said.
MSPEA stated that building on these advancements, the association's MSC certification scope has been expanded to include both pole-and-line and handline yellowfin tuna fisheries. Obtaining this certificate for the yellowfin tuna fishery was a challenging endeavor, and this achievement is the result of years of hard work by the fisheries industry, the government, and regional and international partners, MSPEA noted.
In connection with this achievement, MSPEA expressed gratitude to all parties involved, especially the Maldivian government and the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, for their guidance and steadfastness. MSPEA also stated that the important role these parties play in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), particularly in discussions and measures taken to increase the tuna population, was the main reason this goal was achieved.
"With this certificate, the Maldives' position in the world among countries that practice sustainable tuna fishing will be further strengthened. This not only demonstrates the strength of our traditional fishing methods, but it also symbolizes the importance we all place on science-based management and responsible fishing practices," said MSPEA President Umar Jamal.
With this certification, the Maldives' reputation as a responsible fishing nation will be further solidified, bringing additional progress to the sustainability of marine life and the economies of the atolls, MSPEA highlighted.
The Maldives' pole-and-line skipjack tuna fishery has been an MSC-certified fishery since 2012. This fishery is currently in its third five-year certification cycle. This is one of the longest-running certifications of its kind in the world. This is a testament to the Maldives' long-term efforts to uphold sustainable, environmentally friendly fishing practices.
With the expansion of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification to include the pole-and-line and handline yellowfin tuna fisheries, in addition to the pole-and-line skipjack tuna fishery, the entire Maldivian tuna fishery is now an MSC-certified fishery.
