Fishermen’s protest continues over disruption of weighing fish despite revocation of limit

Despite the revocation of the limit on the purchase of fish at Kooddoo Fisheries Complex enforced in light of the high fishing season currently experienced at southern atolls – the inability to weigh their fish has further exacerbated the fishermen’s protest.

A local fisherman presently at Kooddoo, Ahmed Manik, told Sun that the purchase limit of five-ton fish per vessel was revoked at the request of fisheries vessels catching more fish than the limit. He added that vessels catching less than five-ton fish began protesting their dissatisfaction subsequently.

“(Kooddoo Fisheries Complex) decided to proceed by weighing all catches by vessels based on the order of token numbers issued. However, capacity is reached every day by the time all catches of around six vessels are weighed. Thus, to again resume weighing starting the next day,” he had said.

He further detailed that whilst many vessels were currently docked at Kooddoo with large numbers of catches – their wish is to have all the fish weighed in the order of token numbers issued to each vessel.

“Otherwise, need to stay around 10 or so days if weighing five-ton fish per day as before. Weighing part by part also decreases the quality,” he added.

Another fisherman at Kooddoo who spoke to Sun said that only a few people were protesting at present.

SO Police are currently patrolling Kooddoo in light of the ongoing protest. Discussions are also underway on making arrangements to resume weighing fish at the earliest.