Ministry targets launch of Hulhumalé tuna this year

Fisheries and Ocean Resources Minister Ahmed Shiyam said on Wednesday that work is underway to establish a yellowfin tuna processing facility in Hulhumalé, with the aim of beginning operations within this year.

Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office, the minister said the project is part of government measures related to the yellowfin tuna sector.

In December last year, fishermen involved in the yellowfin tuna fishery held protests to raise concerns with the government. Following the protests, Minister Shiyam met representatives of the fishermen’s union on 15 December.

During the meeting, fishermen presented several requests. These included the purchase of yellowfin tuna by the state-owned fisheries company Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), the establishment of a minimum price between MVR 80 and MVR 100 per kilogram, and the provision of fuel and ice to fishermen at lower prices.

At the meeting, the minister said the government was working to enable MIFCO to purchase yellowfin tuna and stated that operations at Kandooiygiri would begin as soon as possible.

Shiyam said the purchase of yellowfin tuna by the state is a commitment made by President Mohamed Muizzu.

According to the minister, MIFCO began purchasing yellowfin tuna on 14 December. He also said procurement operations at Kandooiygiri began on the 20th of last month.

Shiyam stated that the establishment of a processing facility in Hulhumalé is intended to support processing and value addition in the yellowfin tuna sector.

“We are carrying out work to establish a yellowfin tuna processing facility on land allocated in Hulhumalé. Our aim is to begin services for yellowfin tuna fishermen within this year,” he said.