The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has announced that illegal fishing activities will be closely monitored as line fishing resumes across the Maldives.
Line fishing, a traditional practice in the Maldives, was previously suspended following a directive from the European Union (EU) calling for reforms. The practice, which was permitted between 2012 and 2019, was halted but has now been reinstated by the ministry. The renewed line fishing activities will specifically target species such as bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish, with licenses for these activities now available.
The ministry has also outlined regulations for the processing and export of dead sharks caught during line fishing. Although sharks typically comprise 3% to 4% of the total catch, the ministry has implemented measures to reduce shark bycatch. These include setting lines at a depth of 60 meters and allowing only the processing of dead sharks.
To ensure compliance and prevent illegal fishing, the ministry will enforce several strict measures. Fishermen will be required to depart from designated harbors, obtain departure clearance before setting out, and install cameras on their vessels. Additionally, all vessels engaged in line fishing must be equipped with tracking devices that detect the proximity of other similarly equipped vessels, a measure aimed at curbing the illegal exchange of fish at sea.
Line fishing will be permitted within 100 miles of the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with specific restrictions. It will not be allowed in the northernmost region of the country, where the majority of fishermen are currently active. Instead, line fishing will be permitted from the eastern and western regions of Addu City to the southern part of Alifushi in Raa Atoll. The ministry noted that the reopening of line fishing will bring significant benefits to the Maldives, with many fishermen already expressing interest in resuming the practice.