Minister: Longline fisheries will boost revenue; no loss to the sector

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has stated the approval for longline fisheries in the Maldives would boost revenue while stressing longline fisheries will not result in any losses to the Maldivian fisheries sector.

Speaking at a Fisheries Ministry press conference on Wednesday, Minister Shiyam said the European Union (EU) has never instructed against engaging in longline fisheries. He said longline fisheries was halted by a political decision of the former administration.

The Minister underscored that the tariff levied on fish imported to EU nations has been increased; a tariff which he noted that the Maldives has been working on lowering for 12 years without any significant success.

“Longline fisheries, it is something Maldivians can increase revenue from by practicing. Why should it not be done? That type of fisheries will be implemented in the same manner as we carry out skipjack tuna fisheries; in the most sustainable and ethical way,” he said.

Minister Shiyam affirmed that the Ministry will closely monitor the implementation of longline fisheries. As part of this, the Minister said monitoring capacity will be established with the Ministry to oversee vessels engaging in longline fisheries and ensure they are in compliance with the regulations.

Speaking further, the Minister said the license to process sharks caught during longline fish is being introduced to keep a record of the sharks by-caught. He emphasized that the type and amount of sharks by-caught were not recorded when longline fisheries was previously practiced.

Fisheries Ministry had formulated a draft regulation on longline fishing under the discretion provided to the Ministry by Article 3 of the Maldives Fisheries Act. As per the regulation, longline fishing will only be allowed for yellowfin and bigeye tuna. The regulation also outlines extending a license to export processed sharks that get caught and die during long-line fishing.