Longline Fishing Will Drive Revenue Growth for Maldives, Says Fisheries Minister

Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam has stated that longline fisheries in the Maldives will boost revenue without causing any losses to the fisheries sector.

The decision to permit longline fishing for yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, and swordfish was approved by the Cabinet, followed by the formulation of new guidelines to regulate the practice.

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However, the move has drawn criticism from multiple organisations, citing concerns over the potential environmental and economic impact. They warned that this decision could lead to retaliatory actions from the European Union (EU), highlighting the risk to endangered species and the possibility of increasing bycatch, which includes sharks, rays, and other vulnerable marine life.

Despite these warnings, Minister Shiyam refuted claims that the EU requested a ban on longline fishing, stating that the previous administration’s decision to prohibit the practice was political. He pointed out that, although the Maldives has championed sustainable fisheries, efforts to reduce tariffs on fish exports to the EU have been unsuccessful, while neighbouring countries using more intensive fishing methods have received concessions.

To mitigate concerns, the ministry assured that stringent monitoring mechanisms would be in place before the reintroduction of longline fishing, including a system to track vessels and ensure compliance with regulations. Minister Shiyam emphasised that longline fishing would be conducted in a sustainable manner, with strict oversight to prevent illegal practices, such as shark poaching, which had led to past warnings from the EU.

Environmental organisations, however, remain apprehensive, particularly about the government’s decision to allow the processing of sharks caught as bycatch. They argue that this could create a market for shark products, undermining conservation efforts. These groups have also questioned whether the Maldives has the capacity to monitor longline fishing effectively, particularly in the vast ocean areas where it will be permitted.

The ministry has countered these concerns by committing to a controlled system for shark processing and assuring that only a small percentage of the total catch would consist of sharks. They also reiterated that longline fishing would be restricted to areas outside the typical fishing zones to minimise conflicts with traditional handline fishers and safeguard the yellowfin tuna population.

As protests by yellowfin tuna fishermen loom, the ministry remains firm in its decision, believing that longline fishing, if properly regulated, could help diversify the country’s fisheries industry and boost profits without compromising environmental sustainability.