The Maldives has used an international industry platform in Barcelona to position its fisheries sector within global markets, highlighting sustainability credentials and export potential at a time when demand for traceable seafood continues to shape buyer decisions.
A dedicated panel discussion was held during the Global Seafood Marketplace 2026, bringing together government representatives, international experts, and private sector stakeholders to examine the direction of the Maldivian fisheries industry. The three-day event drew participants from multiple countries, with the Maldives represented by Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, alongside several companies operating across the sector.
Participants from the Maldives included the Maldives Fisheries and Ocean Resources Marketing and Promotion Corporation (MFMC), Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), Horizon Fisheries Pvt Ltd, Ensis Fisheries Pvt Ltd, Blue Solutions Pvt Ltd, and Big Fish Maldives Pvt Ltd, reflecting a mix of state-owned and private enterprises engaged in fisheries production and export.
The Maldives hosted a session titled “From Maldives to the World,” which focused on both structural challenges and emerging opportunities in the sector. The discussion explored sustainable fishing practices, strategies for expanding access to international markets, and the need to increase value addition within the industry. Contributions to the panel included perspectives from international conservation and market stakeholders, alongside local industry representation.
The panel was organised in the context of a recent sustainability recognition awarded to Maldivian tuna fisheries by the Seafood Watch programme. The designation marks the first instance of a specific country’s tuna fishery receiving such recognition under the programme, placing the Maldives in a distinct position within global seafood sourcing discussions.
Under the latest ratings, Maldivian tuna fisheries have been classified as sustainable and assigned the programme’s highest “Best Choice” rating. While sustainability concerns persist in parts of the Indian Ocean, tuna products originating from the Maldives have been recommended as a preferred option for buyers, reinforcing the country’s standing in markets where environmental standards are increasingly influencing procurement decisions.
The engagement in Barcelona reflects a broader effort to translate sustainability recognition into commercial advantage, particularly as the Maldives seeks to strengthen its presence in high-value seafood markets and diversify export opportunities.
