Govt expiates violating Indian fishing vessel's fine

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has recanted the MVR 4.2 million fine extended to the Indian fishing vessel suspected to have crossed into the Maldives economic zone for fisheries activities last year.

Besides expiating the hefty sum, the Maldives government gave permission for the vessel to head back to its home country. The vessel has already embarked for India.

Indian fishing trawler "Holy Spirit" was apprehended by local authorities on October 23rd, 2023. The ministry fined the vessel's operator with MVR 4.2 million (2.27 Crore Rupees) on October 28th last year.

After the vessel's proprietor requested pardon the fine, which the ministry ejected with a follow-up notice to settle payment on November 13th, 2023. The government demanded the vessel's proprietor to settle the fine within one month.

The government then sought to legal enforcement to claim the fine in lumpsum payment and possess proprietorship of the vessel through the Civil Court.

The court, last Thursday, in its verdict held the ministry has formally informed it had allowed the trawler to travel back home on March 17th, 2024. The ministry had also requested to recant its charges on the case as well.

Civil Court complied with the state's request and cancelled the charges.

There have been a number of instances where both local and foreign vessels have been fined for illegal fishing.