Long meeting of yellowfin fishermen with minister: “Promising answers to demands”

The Bodu Kanneli Masverinnge Union (BKMU) said on Monday that it received encouraging responses to its demands during a lengthy meeting with Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam.  

The union has been protesting since Fishermen’s Day last Wednesday, accusing the government of failing to deliver on promises made to fishermen.  

On Monday, Shiyam met with 20 yellowfin tuna fishermen. The meeting began at 11:00 hrs, adjourned at 13:40, resumed at 15:00, and concluded around 16:00.  

Briefing reporters afterward, BKMU vice‑president Imran Mohamed, a former national football team goalkeeper, said Shiyam ended the meeting to hold an “emergency meeting” aimed at addressing fishermen’s concerns quickly. Imran described the discussions as “very successful.”  

“There are a lot of things that we have proposed that can be solved right now and things that need to be solved in the future. So we are hoping that all of them will be resolved properly,” he said.  

A fisherman present at the meeting said he received a positive response regarding MIFCO purchasing yellowfin tuna, though no specific timeline or details were given.  

The union stressed that protests will continue until two fishermen arrested during demonstrations remainin in custody are released. Secretary‑general Mauroof Zakir, also an MDP MP for Kendhoo, was arrested but has since been released.  

Fishermen have now taken their protests from sea to shore, demanding concrete action.  

In response to mounting criticism, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced on Saturday night at the R. Dhuvaafaru Fishermen’s Day 2025 celebration that the minimum purchase price of fish has been set at MVR 16, and MIFCO has reduced fuel prices by MVR 0.51.