Boats blocked by authorities as fishermen’s protest reaches Male’

MNDF’s Coastguard and Marine Police have blocked boats as fishermen’s protests reached the Maldivian capital on Wednesday evening.

The protest, organized by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) - a trade Union of yellowfin tuna fishermen – initially began at Hulhumale’ jetty before heading towards Male’ City.

However, the boats were blocked by Coastguard and Marine Police before they could enter Male’ lagoon. Henceforth, the boats are presently protesting off Male’ City.

Participants of the protest are demanding for the government to drop its plans to allow commercial longline fishing. They are also demanding that the state fisheries company, MIFCO, begin purchasing yellowfin tuna as pledged by the government and the disbursement of payment for pending dues to fishermen.

BKMU, in a statement last month, expressed serious concern over the government’s plans to allow commercial longline fishing. In their statement, the union emphasized on the crucial responsibility bestowed on the government to protect the yellowfin tuna fisheries sector.

Protests also took place GDh. Madaveli on Wednesday. Madaveli Council’s president Fiyaz Hassan told Sun that the protest had been peaceful, and that Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam called to listen to their concerns and affirmed that the government was working on addressing their concerns. 

Notably, MIFCO, on Tuesday, revealed VR 80 million are pending in dues to fishermen as of present. The company said the payment for the pending dues will be issued either today or Thursday.