Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has sought legal advice from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to draft a specialised law aimed at protecting and sustainably utilizing marine resources.
During his visit to Italy for the 36th Session of the UN FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI 36), Minister Shiyam met with FAO Assistant Director General Manuel Barange. In their discussions, Minister Shiyam highlighted efforts to extend the lifespan of the first anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (AFADs), developed 40 years ago with FAO's assistance. They also explored collaboration in mariculture, with plans for a significant project in this field scheduled for implementation this year.
Minister Shiyam specifically sought FAO's legal expertise in formulating legislation to safeguard and harness marine resources. He underscored FAO's pivotal role in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and proposed joint initiatives for the management of migratory marine resources.
During the meeting, FAO commended the Maldives for its contributions to Indian Ocean fisheries and expressed keen interest in future collaborations. The agency also affirmed its readiness to provide technical support for the implementation of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction through the Global Environment Facility.
In addition to his engagements with FAO, Minister Shiyam met with Gian Marco Centinaio, Vice President of the Italian Senate. He underscored the robust diplomatic and trade ties between the Maldives and Italy, particularly in tourism. The Minister presented information on investment prospects in the fisheries sector, including opportunities in sport fishing marinas, mariculture, and the diversification of fisheries and ocean resources. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce tariffs on Maldivian fisheries products entering the European Union (EU).
Minister Shiyam's visit to Italy spans from July 7-13 for the 36th session of the UN FAO Committee on Fisheries.