President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided not to permit longline fishing by prioritising the difficulties and concerns of some stakeholders in the fishing industry over the potential profits for the government, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has said.
The Cabinet decided to open up longline fishing in the Maldives on June 13 this year. To implement this, the Fisheries Ministry drafted a regulation and published its draft. Until today, the Ministry had been preparing for it. Even as many in the fishing industry expressed concern, Minister Shiyam maintained that it was an important step taken by the government to diversify the fishing industry and increase profits from marine resources. He also continued to state that preparations were underway to open up longline fishing next February.
While stakeholders in the fishing industry and marine conservationists launched a campaign against longline fishing and continuously raised their voices, government officials and members of the ruling party promoted longline fishing. Furthermore, activists of the ruling coalition challenged and mocked those who advocated against it on social media.
As those working against longline fishing were preparing to protest, the President's Office said today that, taking into account the concerns expressed by the 'Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union' (Yellowfin Tuna Fishermen's Union) regarding the Cabinet's decision to open up longline fishing in the Maldives, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided not to implement the Cabinet's decision.
Referring to the President's decision, the Fisheries Minister said in a message shared on social media that today the President prioritised the difficulties and concerns of some stakeholders in the fishing industry over the potential profits the government could have gained from longline fishing. He also stated that the government will always listen to fishermen and work to shape the industry in a way that benefits them.
"This industry will be taken to the next level, and the difficulties faced by the people, especially fishing families, will be overcome," Minister Shiyam said.
While fishermen had been pleading for so long, they were very disappointed to see Minister Shiyam openly supporting longline fishing. However, following the President's decision today, fishermen are overjoyed.
