Govt will raise fuel limits if caps affect fishing trips: Shiyam

The government will increase fuel allocation limits for fishermen if existing caps prevent fishing vessels from operating, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam said on Wednesday.

Shiyam made the statement during Wednesday's sitting of Parliament in response to a question on whether the government was considering increasing the amount of subsidised fuel available to fishermen.

The government has maintained fuel subsidies for the fisheries sector despite an increase in international fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

However, fishermen have raised concerns over limits on the amount of fuel that can be purchased at subsidised rates and restrictions on locations where discounted fuel is available. Some fishermen have warned that the limits could affect their ability to continue fishing operations.

Responding to the concerns, Shiyam said the increase in global fuel prices following the escalation of the Middle East conflict had reached a point where fishermen could have faced difficulties going to sea based on prevailing fish prices.

He said the government had nevertheless maintained arrangements to provide fuel to fishermen at subsidised rates.

According to Shiyam, limits on subsidised fuel purchases were introduced as part of measures taken to manage supplies during the period. He said the limits were established following discussions with fishermen.

The minister said the government subsequently received requests from fishermen to increase their allocations and adjusted the limits in response.

"We are still receiving some requests of that nature. We haven't made a final decision on it just yet. However, if the limits need to be increased — if it's necessary to ensure fishermen can remain out at sea — we will make those adjustments where required," Shiyam said.

He said the government would continue assessing the amount of fuel required by fishermen and make changes where necessary to ensure vessels can continue operating.

Shiyam said the government was working to prevent fuel-related issues from disrupting fishing activities and that no major interruption to operations had occurred so far.

He also said subsidised fuel is currently available to fishermen across all regions of the Maldives.

The government's decision to maintain subsidised fuel for the fisheries sector comes as the Maldives faces an increase in the cost of imported fuel following disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.