Govt will address fishermen’s concerns, says minister

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam said on Wednesday that the government will address all concerns raised by fishermen, who staged a protest earlier in the day over unfulfilled commitments.

The protest coincided with Fishermen’s Day in the Maldives. Fishermen attempted to approach Male’ in their vessels but were stopped by the Coast Guard.

The main demands raised by the protesters include:

In a post on X, Minister Shiyam said the government would attend to the concerns. He noted that fishermen who deal in large fish have raised issues related to delayed payments from private buyers and price reductions when catches rise.

He said fishermen have asked the government to intervene and expand its role in the fish trade, and called for the implementation of the government's pledged support measures.

Shiyam added that preparations are underway to begin practical work on the government’s planned fish processing facility in Hulhumale in January.

He also highlighted that:

“There are better days ahead for fishing families,” he said, adding that the government intends to resolve concerns of all categories of fishermen in the Maldives.