The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) has released more than MVR 31 million to fishermen for fish weighed and purchased during May, despite a decline in fish landings compared to the previous month.
According to statistics published by the company, 693 fishing vessels weighed a total of 1,791 tonnes of fish at MIFCO facilities in May. The company paid MVR 31.08 million for those purchases.
The volume of fish weighed in May was significantly lower than in April, when 1,068 vessels delivered 4,414 tonnes of fish.
The decline coincided with the onset of the southwest monsoon on 10 May and the Eid holiday period towards the end of the month, both of which reduced fishing activity.
Catch Breakdown
Skipjack tuna accounted for the majority of fish weighed during the month.
- Skipjack tuna: 1,708.9 tonnes from 367 vessels, with payments totalling MVR 29.06 million
- Yellowfin tuna (above 10kg): 6.9 tonnes from 109 vessels, with payments totalling MVR 138,000
- Yellowfin tuna (above 15kg): 75.2 tonnes from 217 vessels, with payments totalling MVR 1.88 million
Support Measures Continue
MIFCO continues to release payments within 48 hours of fish deliveries, while the government has expanded access to subsidised fuel for fishermen.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources recently announced that fuel distribution under the special pricing scheme is now available across nine regions of the Maldives. According to the ministry, more than 2.5 million litres of fuel had been supplied to fishermen by 19 May.
The government has also stated that it is working to minimise any impact on the fisheries sector from ongoing instability in the Middle East and has pledged to maintain regular payments to fishermen.
