Fishermen’s protest: Police raid boats; take several migrants into custody

The police on Thursday began raiding the fishing boats involved in a protest off the Maldivian capital that has now entered a second day, targeting expatriates working on these boats.

The protest, organized by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) - a trade union of yellowfin tuna fishermen – began at 09:00 am Wednesday from the Hulhumale’ jetty, before heading to Male’ City.

They have accused the government of failing on its promise to purchase and market yellowfin tuna, and secure a steady revenue stream for fishermen.

Dozens of boats remain gathered in the waters off the No. 1 Jetty in Male’, as the Coast Guard and police keep a close watch.

The police began raiding the fishing boats just before noon on Thursday.

When asked if they have made any arrests, a police spokesperson told Sun that they had noticed that expatriates were also joining in on the protest.

The spokesperson said that they had warned against this, and were working with Immigration to collect information on the expatriates working on the fishing boats.

The police did not confirm any arrests, but confirmed they were raiding the boats.

“As such, the police today boarded boats identified to be holding striking expatriates,” said the spokesperson.

A video shared by the BKMU show the police take at least three expatriates into custody from one boat and move them to a police speedboat.

Maldives Police have brutally arrested striking migrant workers near Malé — workers who were peacefully demanding a fair price for their clean catch. We call for their immediate release and for authorities to open dialogue instead of using force. #WorkersRights #Maldives@iufap… pic.twitter.com/3Vmvczsz5C

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

The BKMU has said that they are protesting over the failure to deliver three pledges written in President Muizzu’s manifesto. They are:

• Having Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) begin purchase of yellowfin tuna.
• Setting the floor price for yellowfin tuna to MVR 80 – MVR 100 per kilo.
• Supplying fuel to fishermen at the base rate and improving access to ice

The union said that yellowfin tuna fishermen are deeply disillusioned over the failure to deliver these pledges.

They have vowed to continue the protest until the government meets their demands.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam acknowledged the concerns of yellowfin tuna fishermen.

He said that their concern stems from delays in payments by companies that purchase yellowfin tuna, and the downward spiral in the market price of tuna during good fishing spells.

Shiyam said that the fishermen have asked the government to intervene in this, expand its role in the yellowfin tuna trade, and deliver the government’s pledges as soon as possible.

He said that the government was working on delivering its pledges, and will commence construction of a yellowfin tuna processing plant in Hulhumale’ in January.