Councilors Saif and Nazima condemn obstruction of fishermen’s protest in Male'

Male' City Council members Mohamed Saif Fathih and Mariyam Nazima Mohamed Faiz, from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), have condemned the government’s obstruction of the yellowfin tuna fishermen’s protest organized by the Bodu Kanneli Masverinnge Union (BKMU).  

The protest, held on Fishermen’s Day, saw fishing vessels gather near the Presidential Jetty after sailing in from sea. A coast guard ship (Nooruddin) and two police speedboats were deployed to the area, temporarily blocking the protest as well as some private vessels from exiting the canal.  

Protest leaders instructed participants to give way to blocked speedboats and emphasized that the demonstration was peaceful.  

In a joint statement, Saif and Nazima said Male' is the political and economic hub of the Maldives, and a legitimate venue for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights to assembly and expression. They described the government’s response, or a lack thereof, as shameful, especially on a day meant to honor fishermen.  

They reiterated that streets, open spaces, and public squares in Male' are public domains and must remain accessible for peaceful protest.  

As @MaleCitymv members, councilor Nazima Faiz and I strongly condemn the government’s decision to block the entrance to Male’ Harbour for protesting fishing vessels.

As the capital of the Maldives, Male’ must remain open to all Maldivians, allowing them to freely exercise their… https://t.co/ZbVaLX9vLu pic.twitter.com/7ZaytTAJOZ

— Saif Fathih (@aekofathih) December 10, 2025

The fishermen are demanding the government fulfill three key pledges from its own manifesto:  

• MIFCO to begin buying large fish  

• Setting a minimum price of MVR 80 to100 per kilo for yellowfin tuna  

• Supplying fuel at base rate and improving access to ice  

The union said it has raised these issues repeatedly since the start of the government’s term, through meetings, statements, and formal letters to the Ministry of Fisheries.  

Taking to X to address the situation, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam acknowledged that the delay in payments is the fishermen’s biggest concern. He said while fisheries are improving, the price of big yellowfin tuna is falling, and the government is working to expand the sector.  

Shiyam added that construction of a fish processing facility in Hulhumale' will begin next month as part of the government’s pledge to support the industry.