Kanduohgiri starts buying yellowfin at MVR 25 per kg amid ongoing fishermen’s demands

Kanduohgiri has officially begun operations and started purchasing yellowfin tuna at MVR 25 per kilogram.

Speaking to reporters at the site on Saturday, the minister described the launch as a positive step for the fishing industry and said the President considers the sector a high priority.

“Today we officially started buying yellowfin at MVR 25 per kg,” he said.

He added that sustainability is a key consideration in any new initiative, and highlighted the government’s efforts to support both skipjack and yellowfin fishermen.

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— Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (@MFORmv) January 11, 2026

Prior to the launch at Kanduohgiri, fishermen sold yellowfin to private companies. The new facility marks a shift in procurement, though some fishermen say the government has yet to fulfill earlier promises.

The yellowfin fishermen have called on the state-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) to begin purchasing yellowfin, set minimum prices at MVR 80 and MVR 100 respectively, supply fuel at base rate, and ensure easier access to ice.

ބޮޑުކަންނެލި ކިލޯއެއް 25 ރުފިޔާއަށް މިހާރު ކަނޑުއޮތްގިރިއަށް ކިރޭނެ – މިނިސްޓަރ ޝިޔާމް pic.twitter.com/wP6BlheJtx

— MMTV (@MMTVmv) January 11, 2026

Nine individuals, including Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir, were arrested during a protest held near Male' City over these demands.

Five days after the protest, a group of 20 fishermen met with the minister for extended discussions. They said the meeting yielded a promising response to their concerns.