The Maldives has called for stronger global support for small-scale fisheries, with Fisheries and Ocean Resources Minister Ahmed Shiyam urging the international community to bring the issue out of the margins and into mainstream policy discourse. His remarks were made during a side event hosted by the Maldives at the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference, currently being held in Nice, France.
The session, focused on promoting sustainable small-scale fisheries management, brought together policymakers, international organisations, and regional stakeholders to share best practices, case studies, and tools for empowering small-scale fishers and advancing sustainable fisheries governance.
Minister Shiyam noted that despite the critical role small-scale fisheries play in food security, livelihoods, and coastal economies, they continue to receive limited attention at the global level. He argued that meaningful investment and innovation remain largely absent in this sector, and stressed the need for structural change. The Maldives, he said, is advancing its own fisheries sector through science and technology, setting an example for others to follow.
Speaking alongside the Minister, Dr Hussain Sinan, Director General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, highlighted the Maldives’ commitment to sustainability and social equity in the fisheries sector. He underscored efforts to digitise national fisheries statistics—a dataset that has been maintained since the 1950s—as a key step toward better governance and sustainable resource management. Dr Sinan also pointed to the government’s push to increase access to international markets for fish products and ensure equitable distribution of economic benefits from the sector.
The session also featured insights from Indonesia’s Director-General of Capture Fisheries, who outlined the country’s progress in advancing the blue economy. He discussed the allocation of fishing quotas, stakeholder engagement, and strategic international cooperation as tools that have strengthened small-scale fisheries in Indonesia.
Regional support for the agenda came from the Bay of Bengal Programme – Intergovernmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), whose Director Dr Krishnan shared strategies to empower small-scale fishers across member countries. He announced the organisation’s plans to assist countries in developing national action plans aligned with international principles.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also reiterated its backing. Dr Manuel Baranj, FAO Assistant Director-General, spoke of tools developed to uplift fishing communities and pledged full support for the BOBP-IGO’s national action plan initiative.
The 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, is a key global platform for addressing the health of the world’s oceans. It brings together heads of state, scientists, and stakeholders to advance implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, which calls for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources. Scheduled to run from 9–13 June 2025, the conference aims to strengthen partnerships and commitments toward protecting marine ecosystems and enhancing ocean-based economies.
By convening this session, the Maldives has positioned itself as a vocal advocate for communities that depend on the ocean for their survival. It also reinforces the country’s leadership on sustainable marine resource management in the Indian Ocean region.Maldives Pushes for Greater Global Recognition of Small-Scale Fisheries at UN Oceans Conference
