BKMU announces Fishermen’s Day protest over unfulfilled promises, warns of yellowfin tuna collapse

The Bodu Kanneli Masverinnge Union (BKMU) has announced plans to protest on Fishermen’s Day, December 10, citing the government’s failure to fulfill key promises made to yellowfin tuna fishermen.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the union expressed deep frustration and despair over the lack of progress in addressing longstanding concerns. It warned that without sustainable solutions, the yellowfin tuna fishery, one of the Maldives’ most valuable marine sectors, is at risk of collapse.

The union highlighted several unmet commitments, including:

• Government purchase of yellowfin tuna through MIFCO  

• Setting a minimum fish price between MVR 80 and MVR 100  

• Providing fuel at base rates  

• Ensuring easy access to ice for preservation  

މިޔަދުވެސް ކަންނެލި ނުކިރިފައި އެތައް ދޯންޏެއް! ކަންނެލި ނުކިރި ކިޔުގައި ތިބި ހުރިހާ ދޯނިފަހަރު މަތިން 125 ޓަނަށް ވުރެ ގިނަ! ކަންނެލި ކިރަން ޖެހެނީ ނުައަގުގައި ފެކްޓްރީ ތަކުން ބޭނުން އަގަކަށް! ކަންނެލި ކިރުމަށްފަހު ރުފިޔާ ކޮޅު ލިބެނީ އެތައް ދުވަހެއް… pic.twitter.com/0rmWJ8P8Pf

— Bodu Kanneli Masveringe union- BKMU (@FishermensUnion) November 11, 2025

Despite repeated calls for action, the union said no meaningful steps have been taken to resolve these issues. It also criticized ongoing disparities in how fishermen are treated, urging the government to eliminate discrimination and reform export policies.

An emergency motion was tabled in Parliament in July last year after over 120 tonnes of fish began to spoil due to lack of buyers. The motion, proposed by Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyadh, called for the government to purchase the catch through MIFCO, allocate shares to fishermen, and uphold the promised price range. However, the union noted that none of these measures have been implemented.

The BKMU said its annual meeting on Fishermen’s Day will serve as a platform for protest, demanding accountability and immediate action from the government.