Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has stated that national income generated from the fisheries sector will be doubled before the end of the current presidential term.

He made the remarks during an interview held to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the Voice of Maldives, where he highlighted the Administration’s vision for expanding fisheries capacity and increasing export revenue. 

Minister Shiyam said the Maldives has not undertaken sufficient work in the past to resolve long-standing challenges in the sector, particularly those linked to revenue flow and processing capacity. He recalled that, despite calls over the past forty years to increase fish exports at higher market prices, only one major processing facility had been established during that period, the 50-tonne Felivaru factory. He noted that the current Administration aims to ensure that Maldivian fisheries products are exported on a price-neutral basis to secure a fair return for producers.

The Minister said the Administration is spending to expand existing capacity, increasing processing from 50 tonnes to 300 tonnes, and that significant progress is expected to be visible in 2026. He further reiterated the Administration’s target to raise fisheries revenue from approximately USD 92 million a year to USD 270–280 million a year, depending on market performance and export improvements.

Minister Shiyam confirmed that a budget has been allocated for fisheries development next year, with plans to complete the majority of cold storage facilities by 2026, and to bring several of them into operation within the same period. He stated that this expansion of storage and processing capacity is central to achieving the Government’s revenue goals and supporting fishers across the country.

During his remarks, Minister Shiyam also highlighted the longstanding partnership between the fisheries industry and the Voice of Maldives, describing the broadcaster as “a close friend of fishermen”. He noted that fisheries-related programmes have been aired since 1985, playing an important role in disseminating industry information and supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities.