Parliament dismisses anti-longline emergency motion
The issuance of longline fishing licence was suspended in 2019 due to increased illegal activities by longliners at sea.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Parliament has rejected an emergency motion filed by the opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) expressing concern over the government's plans to allow longline fishing in the Maldives' territorial waters.
The Cabinet had decided in March to reopen the longlining fishery in Maldives, ostensibly with the aim of further developing Maldives' seafood fishery in view of the possible reduction in its available catch quota.
The Fisheries Ministry has drafted a regulation on the 15th of this month and opened it for public comment. NGO’s and some quarters of the public are expressing concern about this.
47 members voted against the motion moved by MDP Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir calling for the decision to be changed.
11 members voted for the motion. One member did not vote either way. Thus:
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Among those who voted against were 46 PNC members and JP member Gasim Ibrahim
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The emergency bill was voted for by 10 MDP MPs and Independent MP Abdul Rahman
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Three PNC members attended the session but did not participate in the vote; they are Hithadhoo Central MP Azaan Marzoog, Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Sinaan and Mulaku MP Ibrahim Naufal
Moving the emergency motion, Zakir said that all the previous governments had attempted to allow longline fishing on various occasions but the main reason that it never happened was because it would force the fishing industry to face detriments in various ways.
“Many species that are not targeted by fisheries and are threatened by extinction are also indirect victims of such fisheries,” he said.
He outlined five main consequences if the government's decision is implemented and longlining is allowed.
1. Adverse impact on income of fishing families:
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With the opening of longlining for the large yellowfin tuna fishery, the opportunity to obtain permits and quotas will be mostly facilitated for large businesses in Maldives and abroad
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The inability of the ordinary fishermen to obtain this quota will result in disruption of their income and business
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Setting rules for longlining on a quota basis is an indirect opening for the creation of a black market in that quota; it creates fears of monopolisation of the fishing market, which in the end will bear the financial loss of this and will not get fair prices
2. Long-term damage to the environment and tourism:
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It will pave the way for the capture of protected or endangered marine life such as sharks, tortoises, turtles and rays; the decline in the population of such species will affect Maldives directly and indirectly in various ways
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It will in the long run lead to the devastation of the underwater ecosystem; studies show that longlining leaves debris on both land and sea, even destroying marine life
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While the most attractive thing for tourists is the beauty of Maldives' seabed and the richness of the underwater creatures, losing exotic marine life such as dolphins, sharks, tortoises, turtles and rays will affect the tourism industry
3. Threat of increased illegal activities in the sea territory:
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The issuance of longline fishing licence was suspended in 2019 due to increased illegal activities by longliners at sea and concerns raised by the European Union's Commission on Maritime Affairs and Fisheries that Maldives fish exports to Europe will be banned
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If the closed door to longline fishing is reopened, the opportunity will be opened for illegal activities at sea
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Monitoring and regulating these practices can also involve many challenges and there is no adequately resourced regulatory body in the country to patrol, inspect and prosecute illegal marine activities
4. Maldives threatens to lose its 'sustainable fisheries' label:
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Maldives exports fish to foreign countries promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly fisheries practices
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If fishing alien to sustainability such as longlining is permitted and the fish caught is included in the country's exports, the sustainability of fish sold by the Maldives and the assurances given by that label will also be compromised
Taking those reasons into consideration, Mauroof said there is no doubt that the government's decision will have irreparable damage in the long run to Maldives' fisheries and various industries on which the economy depends.
“This is definitely against fishermen, those working in the tourism industry, those who advocate for the protection of the environment and marine life, as well as many members of the public,” he said.
He called on the government to review its decision to issue longline fishing permits.
