Maldivian yellowfin tuna fisheries have been certified under the Marine Stewardship Council standard, covering both pole-and-line and handline fishing methods.
The certification follows several years of coordinated work involving industry, government and scientific stakeholders, including a Fishery Improvement Project initiated in 2018. It was granted after assessments confirmed that Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna stocks are not overfished and are not subject to overfishing.
With MSC certification, Maldivian yellowfin tuna can now be supplied to large-scale retail markets, particularly in Europe, where certified seafood products are in demand. The certification is expected to support more structured supply arrangements compared to existing transaction-based trade.
Given the limited global availability of MSC-certified yellowfin tuna, the development is expected to support stronger and more consistent demand for Maldivian products.
The certification also applies to small-scale fishing methods widely used in the Maldives. Pole-and-line and handline fishing are recognised for their selectivity and low environmental impact, aligning with the requirements of MSC standards.
The shift towards certified supply chains is expected to improve market access for Maldivian fisheries and provide more stable pricing over time, with potential benefits for fishing communities across the country.
