Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan has stated that the opportunity for foreign vessels to purchase fish from Maldivian fishermen has been opened.
The Minister made the remarks in response to a question posed by Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan.
Under the opportunity, foreign fishing vessels will be given the opportunity to enter Maldivian waters and purchase fish from Maldivian fishermen, said the Minister.
He said that even if foreign fish purchasing vessels are allowed into Maldivian territory, fishing vessels would not be allowed to enter. He also said that this was part of the government’s strategic action plan.
Responding to a question posed by opposition PMC MP Mohamed Saeed, who asked how the government will differentiate between vessels, the Minister said that this will be done based on the equipment found on the boat.
Elaborating on this response, Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed stated that equipment on the vessel must be declared when obtaining clearance to enter Maldivian waters.
