Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has expressed deep concern regarding the recent incident involving the seizure of a Maldivian fishing boat by a foreign military vessel.
In a post on X, Minister Shiyam highlighted the situation where a foreign military vessel approached and boarded the Maldivian fishing vessel, Asuruma 3, engaged in fishing activities 72 miles east of Thuraakunu in Haa Alifu Atoll. He also said that the location falls well within the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Additionally, Minister Shiyam emphasised the gravity of the situation, expressing worry over the intrusion of foreign troops into Maldivian ocean territory. He said that the foreign military personnel not only approached the Maldivian fishing vessel but also halted and interrogated its crew. He also underscored the significance of respecting the sovereignty of the Maldives and ensuring the safety of its vessels operating within its EEZ.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has been alerted to the situation, confirming that the fishing boat was well within the Maldives EEZ when it was boarded by the team from the foreign military vessel. As such, MNDF had dispatched a vessel to the location of the fishing boat to address and investigate the incident further.