Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has stated President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has prioritised addressing the challenges and concerns of key stakeholders in the fishing sector over the potential benefits of line fishing for the government.
In a social media post, Minister Shiyam emphasised the government's commitment to listening to fishermen and shaping the industry to their advantage. He assured that the government will continue its efforts to advance the sector and support the livelihoods of fishermen. Following President Dr. Muizzu's decision not to implement the government's plan for line fishing, Shiyam reaffirmed that the government remains dedicated to ensuring that any fishing practices do not negatively impact the interests of fishermen.
The Cabinet had approved the resumption of line fishing on June 13 of this year. However, after reviewing feedback from the Maldives Fishermen Association and holding meetings with fishermen to address their concerns, President Dr. Muizzu decided not to proceed with the plan. The president has committed to working on resolving issues within the sector to safeguard the well-being of the fishing community.