The government has begun work to establish arrangements that will allow fishermen to sell reef fish directly to resorts, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said.
Minister Shiyam said the newly established Maldives Fisheries and Ocean Resources Marketing and Promotion Corporation (MFORMPC), created to promote the fisheries sector, is introducing a dedicated brand for Maldivian fish products. The corporation aims to position these products as premium offerings in both domestic and international markets while also identifying new export opportunities.
Responding to a question from Kendhoo Parliamentarian Mauroof Zakir in Parliament, Minister Shiyam said the ministry continues to receive complaints from fishermen, particularly those operating around the Greater Male' area and regions with a high concentration of resorts, about the difficulties they face in selling fish directly to resorts. He noted that resolving this issue is one of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's key priorities.
"The President has established a dedicated company to promote Maldivian fish products. Its purpose is to market fish caught by Maldivian fishermen both locally and internationally, create new sales opportunities for fishermen, and undertake promotional activities within the Maldives and overseas. One of those efforts is working with resorts across the country," Minister Shiyam said.
The minister said the fisheries promotion company is already working to put in place arrangements that would enable fishermen in some areas to sell fish directly to resorts. While a complete solution has yet to be achieved, he said the company is also working to improve access to the domestic market alongside expanding international marketing opportunities.
Turning to challenges faced by yellowfin tuna fishermen, Shiyam said work has been awarded to build a 100-metric-tonne yellowfin tuna processing facility in Hulhumale'. He described the project as one of the government's most important long-term initiatives to provide a lasting solution to problems facing the yellowfin tuna industry.
According to the minister, construction of the facility is expected to be completed within 18 months. He also said the government remains committed to expanding the volume of yellowfin tuna purchased by the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) and fulfilling commitments made to fishermen.
The yellowfin tuna processing and storage facility is being developed jointly by the government and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The project had originally been planned for Kanduohgiri, but after land became available in Hulhumale', the government decided to relocate the facility there. The project is being financed through a loan from the Islamic Development Bank.