The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), which operates the Kooddoo Fisheries Complex (KFC), has stated that vessels currently issued queue numbers to weigh fish will finish weighing by Sunday.
Addressing the issue of prolonged queue numbers for weighing fish at Kooddoo, MIFCO stated today that although the queue of vessels has lengthened due to good fishing in the south, a large number of vessels have been covered so far. The dates for the currently issued queue numbers have been rearranged, and MIFCO noted that the numbers already issued will be completed over next Saturday and part of Sunday.
"We would like to bring to the attention of fishermen that starting next Saturday, the queue dates for the remaining vessels will be arranged according to the currently issued queue order," stated the MIFCO Fish Collection Section.
MIFCO stated that despite the long queues, there is no intention to limit the amount of fish weighed at Kooddoo. Accordingly, MIFCO will continue to weigh fish daily up to Kooddoo's maximum capacity. Furthermore, to resolve the issue of fishermen having to spend long hours in queues, MIFCO is working to increase fish weighing points in Huvadhoo Atoll.
"Waiting in queues for a long time is a major concern for fishermen. To provide relief and arrange for unlimited weighing at maximum capacity, Kooddoo staff are working in this situation almost without sleep. Work is also underway to increase collecting points in Huvadhoo. That will ease the pressure," MIFCO said.
According to MIFCO, 5 of the company's vessels are currently operating in Huvadhoo Atoll. Therefore, in addition to Kooddoo, fishermen can also weigh fish on these vessels during this period.
Every year during good fishing seasons, Kooddoo experiences heavy pressure. This is because the facility lacks the capacity to purchase fish at the volume caught by the vessels. The Kooddoo development project is expected to be completed next year. Therefore, the government states that this will be the last year fishermen will have to join long queues to weigh fish at Kooddoo.
