Coalition policies blocking fishermen's fair revenue: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed said on Saturday that the fisheries industry in the Maldives has been hit hard and fishermen are not getting fair prices for the fish they catch due to the government abiding coalition policies, rather than MDP’s policies.

Competing against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the upcoming MDP presidential primary, Nasheed is currently campaigning for the main ruling party MDP’s primary in the atolls famous for fishing, Gaafu Dhaalu and Gaafu Alifu. On Friday night during his visit to Gadhdhoo, he spoke to MDP supporters at his campaign event in the island and based his speech on the problems faced by the fishermen.

"A kilo of fish was being purchased at MVR 2.5 during the regime of [former president] Maumoon [Abdul Gayoom]. Chilled fish sometimes costs MVR 3.5 per kg," he said, describing the state of the country's fishing industry when MDP first came to power in 2008.

It has always been clear that it is not the price at which the industry can continue under any circumstances, he said. Therefore, he pointed out that MDP’s 2008 manifesto had promised to raise the price of fish and provide fair prices for the fish.

Nasheed, who is also the Speaker of the Parliament, pointed out:

Noting that the country's fishing industry is deteriorating, Nasheed said that while the economy and livelihood of Maldivians are linked to fishing, there is a need to ensure that fishermen get a better price for fish and can live on a prosperously.

"It is the primary responsibility of our political leaders to ensure that our fishermen get that opportunity. The price of fish is currently at MVR 17. A litre of diesel is priced between MVR 29 MVR 21. A tonne of ice is at MVR 800. 5 tonnes of fish is being weighed. It is being paid for after a month," he said.

Pointing out that the state's budget was ten times higher between the two MDP regimes, Nasheed said that the price of fish did not increase.

"Those who took home MVR 5,000 per month in 2008 do not take home MVR 50,000 today, as should be," he said, adding that the change was not made because the government was not implementing the party's policies.

"In 2018, we don't see any place where the party's policies are implemented. The government has always tried to implement the principles of the coalition."

He said:

"The government did not consider implementing the party's policy. MDP said that we will find ways to process fish in each of these islands, especially in heavy-fishing islands," he said, adding that even if large fish factories are not set up, it can happen with the use of technology.

Nasheed said that by not doing so, the government was trying to increase cold storage as part of the coalition policy.

"We did not implement policies to reduce the [raw] fish sold abroad. We did not implement policies to use the fish in the country. They are exporting raw fish to Thailand, and these fish come back to us by Ramadan, canned, and are fed back  to us. Like feeding an eel eel meat," Nasheed said.

Noting that Huvadhu Atoll is one of the largest atolls in the world and has the highest number of fishing, Nasheed said there is no reason why the fishermen of the atoll should not be prosperous in  the industry.

"We have lost five years without getting the prosperity i mentioned. The work had been progressing, I would say, in a tricky plan. The price of fish is being kept at MVR 17 per kg on purpose," he said. 

"This way, the young man who leaves to sea for fishing for a month will get MVR 8,000, MVR 10,000. So, instead of sending him fishing,  he is kept in the island and offered jobs at Fenaka, or the road development corporation, and the government coalition is hoping that they can invade his freedom step on his ethic and progress, and control him."

However, he said that the indigenous people of the southern atoll are now strong, dignified and courageous and they cannot be kept in slavery the way they used to be in the past.

Nasheed pointed out that with the last five years having passed in vain, fishermen could not wait for fish factories to be set up close to them. Therefore, once he is elected to recover from that, the price of fish will go up," he said.

"I've got one promise. We will keep the price of fish at MVR 25 from November 11," he said.

Nasheed said:

"It's wrong the way I see, how we've wasted these five years. I am sure neither Gaddhoo people nor Huvadhoo people will wait another five years and there should be no need for it even,'' Nasheed said.

"I sincerely request all of you, to help me make your government, a fishermen's government again and all the people of Gaddhoo to vote for me."