Fisheries should be developed in an environment-friendly manner: President

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that priority should be given to developing the fisheries sector in an environment-friendly manner.

The President said this in a speech given on the occasion of Fishermen’s Day.

He said that under the government’s policy on reducing the use of gases that damage the environment, the companies active in the fisheries sector should prioritise using environment-friendly gases in processing and storing fish.

Referring to the Fisheries Ministry’s work to develop grouper fishing, the President said that efforts are under way to put together and enforce a grouper management plan, and that this would be a great step towards sustaining the limited resources of the Maldives.

President Waheed noted the numerous efforts over the past years to develop fisheries in the Maldives. He said that the results of these efforts are seen today.

He said that the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certificate being awarded to line fishing in the Maldives is a great honour for the country, and that this would facilitate the sale of Maldives’ fish products at higher prices abroad.

The President urged fishermen and fish exporters to fully cooperate with the government, in order to sustain the achievements of the fisheries sector.

Fishermen’s day was first celebrated in the Maldives 31 years ago, on 10 December 1981.