Fishermen's union slams minister over 'false' floor price comment
President of the Yellowfin Tuna Fishers Union said discussions on the floor price has been stalled since August 2021.
By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
Yellowfin Tuna Fishers Union on Tuesday slammed fisheries minister Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan for what the union termed false remarks over the floor price for yellowfin tuna, saying that negotiations have stalled since August 2021.
Attending the parliament session on Monday, the minister, in response to a question posed by Maavashu MP Mohamed Saeed said:
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Discussions were held with the union and Maldives Seafood Processing and Exporters Association (MSPEA) regarding pricing of yellowfin tuna
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Due to a huge gap in the prices proposed by MSPEA and the union, they were instructed to submit a mutually agreed upon price
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Discussions are currently ongoing with the union regarding the matter
President of the Yellowfin Tuna Fishers Union Hussain Nasheed told Atoll Times on Tuesday that discussions on setting the lowest prices were held last in August 2021, and that the discussions have stalled since then.
The rates proposed by the union in 2021 were:
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Above 25 kg - MVR 100 per kg
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Below 25 kg - MVR 80 per kg
While fishing in the Maldives has improved significantly since last week, the price of Yellowfin tuna has declined over the past few days. Tuesday prices are:
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Below 30 kg: MVR 50 per kg
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Above 30 kg: MVR 70 per kg.
Nasheed said that the government does not have much control over the yellowfin tuna market due to the lack of state-owned companies' involvement in the purchase of it. Fishermen cannot live sufficient lives without a good income, he said, adding that a good income will not be generated without setting the floor price.
"Fishermen work to earn a good income for themselves. Companies work the same way. It will benefit the businesses if they buy from fishermen at the lowest price and resale at a higher price. They want to set prices at the lowest possible," said Nasheed.
He said that only the government can resolve the differences in quoted prices between the MSPEA and the Union.
"Then we came to know that the price issue had to be resolved among ourselves; the MSPEA and the Union. But we know that there can be no mutual agreement on a minimum price between ourselves; that's why the government needs to get involved," Nasheed said.
Low prices for fish has been an age-old issue of criticism and concern. While it is a pledge of this administration to resolve the fishermen's complaints, the issue has not yet been resolved.
Fishermen face many challenges during every fishing season. It is a matter of concern for fishermen in every peak season when fish come aplenty, but they cannot find storage or sale options easily.
