MIFCO unable to purchase yellowfin tuna this year, minister tells fishermen
Seven months into this government, the minister said, it was a very difficult time financially.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
The financial situation of the state-owned fish company, Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), is worse than it can afford to purchase yellowfin tuna, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam stated on Wednesday.
About 50 boats-full of fishermen protested all day long at Hulhumale and Male jetty sides on Wednesday to voice their concerns with the government.
The protest started at the Kanneli Jetty area in Hulhumale Wednesday morning and later shifted to Jetty No. 1 area in Male. Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam visited the area to hear the concerns of the fishermen.
One of the main concerns of the fishermen in the protest is that the government has not yet started buying fish from MIFCO as promised.
The minister said it was not possible for MIFCO to start purchasing fish this year.
“I can say very clearly that this year we will not be able to buy yellowfin tuna. MIFCO is not in that condition,” he said.
MIFCO will be able to buy fish as promised by the government only if the company's financial situation improves, the minister said. The government is already working on that, he said.
“Hopefully, the day will come when the government will buy fish as promised by the President. We want to fulfil the President's promises made at the beginning of the term,” he said.
Seven months into this government, the minister said, the country remains in a very difficult fiscal position.
The fishermen have also expressed concern that the government is discussing allowing longline fishing for yellowfin tuna fisheries in addition to not fulfilling its promises.
The minister said the government can fulfil its promises to the fishermen only if the government's financial situation improves.
The fishermen have decided to continue their protest if the government does not respond directly to their concerns and demands.
