Fishermen’s protest: BKMU says arrest threats against expatriate crew will not deter them

Police are threatening to arrest expatriate crew members participating in the fishermen’s protest to intimidate them, but the threats will not stop the demonstration, the Bodu Kanneli Masverinnge Union (BKMU) said on Wednesday evening.  

In an interview with Raajje TV, the union’s Secretary General and MDP MP Mauroof Zakir said preparations for the protest had been underway since mid-year, as the government has failed to address the concerns of big yellowfin tuna fishermen even after two years.  

“The government always says it will solve the problems of the fishermen. But to date, these things have not even started. The fishermen do not believe that they are on the verge of starting even,” Mauroof said.  

Bodu Kanneli Masveringe ihuthijaaju https://t.co/PJdjRKR6sm

— RaajjeTV (@Raajje_tv) December 10, 2025

He stressed that the protest is not politically motivated, but a response to unfulfilled promises made during the presidential election. After waiting two years, fishermen have reached their limit as their situation worsens and their catch remains unsold.  

“We are calling for them to arrange buying and marketing for our fish. We are not calling for free money for fishermen,” Mauroof said.  

Mauroof added that police have threatened them by saying expatriates cannot participate in protests. However, he noted that expatriate crew members live on the fishing boats and naturally accompany them wherever they go.  

“There will be many expatriates under valid quota in these boats. They live here. This is their home. Wherever these boats go, they will go. This protest was organised by the boat owners. When the police come and say expatriates can’t protest or participate, we know clearly that this is the only way they could think of to stop the protests,” Mauroof said.  

Speaking to Sun, Mauroof said the protest would continue until an agreement is reached with the government.  

The protest began at sea near Male' on Wednesday morning before vessels headed towards the capital, saying the government was not responding to their demands. Fishing boats gathered near the Presidential Jetty, while a coast guard ship blocked their approach across the channel and police launches were deployed, causing congestion in the busy port area.  

In a statement issued Tuesday, the BKMU reiterated that three pledges remain unmet:  

• MIFCO to begin buying large fish  
• Setting a minimum price of MVR 80–100 per kilo for yellowfin tuna  
• Supplying fuel at base rate and improving access to ice  

The union said it has repeatedly raised these issues through meetings, statements, and letters to the Ministry of Fisheries, but has yet to see results.  

Meanwhile, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam announced that construction of a fish processing facility in Hulhumale' will begin next month as part of the government’s efforts to expand the sector.  

Fishing has long been the oldest and most enduring industry in the Maldives, sustaining livelihoods across the islands. Yet government negligence and failure to modernize the sector have left it weakened, with fishermen and their families often struggling to make ends meet.  

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

Adding to the criticism, Male' City Council members Mohamed Saif Fathih and Mariyam Nazima Mohamed Faiz condemned the government’s obstruction of the peaceful protest. 

The threats to remove expatriates and penalize them for being present make the government appear desperate and unwilling to earnestly solve the fishermen’s issues. While expatriates can legally be penalized, such actions are a cowardly move against a protest rooted in legitimate grievances.