Maldives axes plan to reopen longline fisheries

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has made the decision to drop plans to reopen longline fisheries in the Maldives, following pushback from local fishermen.

The cabinet made the decision to open longline fisheries for yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna on June 13 – ending a ban that has been in place since 2019.

But in a statement on Thursday, the President’s Office said that President Muizzu has made the decision to drop the plan to open longline fisheries, upon reflecting on the concerns shared by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) – a union of yellowfin tuna fishermen in the Maldives.

It added that the president would meet the BKMU and other key stakeholders to hold further discussions regarding the decision.

“The government is dedicated to listening to the voices of the people and formulating policies that effectively address the concerns of the people and affect positive changes to this country,” reads the statement.

Maldives opened longline fisheries in 2012. But the practice was banned again in 2019.

The draft regulation released by the Fisheries Ministry included provisions for the management of bycatch species such as sharks. While targeted shark fishing remains prohibited, the regulation allowed for non-targeted bycatch species, including sharks, caught in longline fishing to be landed and processed in specially licensed facilities.

The plan to reopen longline fisheries had sparked concern from fishermen, as well as tourism and environmental groups.

The BKMU said that reopening longline fisheries would allow large foreign fisheries companies to dominate the sector and crowd out local fishermen.

Maldives opened longline fisheries in 2012. But the practice was banned again in 2019.