Gov’t to Gazette National Fishermen’s Registry This Week
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the regulations for the National Registry of Fishermen will be gazetted this week, a move designed to provide fishermen with equal opportunities as those in other professions.
During a visit to Gaafaru in Kaafu Atoll yesterday as part of a wider tour of the atoll, President Muizzu highlighted the rapid progress being made in compiling the fishermen’s registry. He acknowledged the challenges faced by fishermen due to the lack of formal recognition of fishing as an occupation, which has made it difficult for them to secure loans and access other financial services.
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The President explained that his administration prioritised addressing these concerns during its first year in office by working to establish the registry and drafting the necessary regulations. These measures aim to formalise fishing as a recognised income-generating activity.
Scheduled for gazetting on Thursday, the regulation will officially establish the fishermen’s registry and enable greater collaboration with financial institutions, including the Bank of Maldives (BML) and Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB). Fishermen will also benefit from initiatives provided by the State Trading Organization (STO).
President Muizzu noted that fishermen have already begun registering and stressed that the regulation will grant them access to banking facilities, social security benefits, and state subsidies, aligning their profession with others in terms of opportunities and support.
In addition to these initiatives, the President reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring fishermen are paid within 48 hours of selling their catch, a key campaign promise. He attributed previous delays to challenges within Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) when his administration assumed office.
The new regulations are expected to enhance the livelihoods of fishermen across the Maldives, addressing long-standing issues and fostering a more inclusive and supportive framework for the fishing sector.
