The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has paid USD 733,000 to fishermen for fish purchased during June.
A total of 517 fishing vessels, including skipjack and yellowfin tuna fishing boats, supplied fish to the company during the month, according to statistics of MIFCO. Payments totalling USD 90,633 were made to these vessels.
MIFCO said it purchased a total of 568 tonnes of fish in June. Of this, 484.4 tonnes were skipjack tuna, for which the company paid USD 604,858. The catch was supplied by 196 fishing vessels.
A total of 109 vessels that delivered yellowfin tuna weighing more than 10 kilograms received USD 21,494. Meanwhile, 212 vessels that supplied yellowfin tuna weighing more than 15 kilograms were paid USD 108,564.
Paying fishermen within 48 hours of delivering their catch is a key policy of the administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The government has also prioritised ensuring fishermen receive fair prices for their catch while strengthening and streamlining payment arrangements.
The government said it is continuing to implement a range of measures to address challenges faced by the fisheries sector. Among these efforts, MIFCO has increased the purchase price paid to fishermen to USD 1.30 per kilogram.
MIFCO currently purchases 10 kg and 15 kg grade tuna at USD 1.30 per kilogram, while tuna weighing more than 15 kg is purchased at USD 1.62 per kilogram.