Yellowfin tuna industry will disappear without govt support, says fishermen
Currently, 24% tax is required to be paid to export fish, which means companies buying fish do so by buying fish at a very low price.
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By
Aminath Shifleen
Fishermen specialising in yellowfin tuna on Friday lodged their complaints with the government over the low prices of fish, rising fuel prices, high cost of fishing and shortage of fishing boats.
Fisheries Minister Dr Hussain Rasheed and Economy Minister Fayyaz Ismail met with fishermen and owners of some yellowfin tuna companies on Friday. The meeting, which was held to hear the concerns and grievances of the fishermen, discussed a number of issues.
Hussain Nasheed, president of the Fishermen's Association of Bodu Kanneli, told Atoll Times on Saturday that many of the concerns of the fishermen were raised in such meetings for many years. One of the main reasons, he pointed out, was that the same price was not paid for the fish. As a result, he feared many people may leave the work without earning well from fishing, he said.
"We have said that if we don't find a solution, the process will be derailed," he said.
He said the signs of it are already visible. Thus, islands that have relied heavily on large-yellowfin tuna fishing and owned more boats had a significantly lower catch. There were only two or three boats now fishing in such islands, which used to have many boats.
Nasheed pointed out:
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Youth are no longer venturing out for yellowfin tuna fishing due to lack of adequate income
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People are hesitant to buy boats and invest in the industry
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No income guarantee for fishermen
Earlier, it used to cost MVR 120-130 per kg, but now fishing is also improving and the price have come down to MVR 60 per kg.
The association sees high taxes on fish exports to Europe as one of the main reasons for the decline in yellowfin tuna fishing. Currently, 24% tax is required to be paid to export fish, which means companies buying fish do so by buying fish at a very low price.
Some of the suggestions made by the fishermen at the meeting included:
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Finding markets that do not require taxes and supplying fish there
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Govt to set a permanent fixed price for fish
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As in promoting tourism, by allocating budgets, seeking foreign countries and markets to buy fish at 'zero tax'
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The government also entering into the large yellowfin tuna fishing business and increasing competitiveness of the market
"The government is buying skipjack tuna. We’re doing pole and line fishing. But if the government also enters into the yellowfin tuna business and creates a competitive market, the price of this fish will also go up," he said.
During the meeting with the government, they also discussed the challenges faced by the government on the issue. However, on Friday the meeting ended with Nasheed saying that a committee should be set up to discuss the matter further.
"The real aim of our organisation is to do this honestly without any political colour," he said.
