Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said that commitments made to fishermen are being fulfilled with the commencement of yellowfin tuna purchases by the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO).

In an interview during a visit to the Kandu Oiy Giri MIFCO factory, the minister said MIFCO has begun purchasing yellowfin tuna for processing at the facility, addressing long-standing concerns raised by fishermen over the lack of State purchasing for yellowfin tuna.  

During Fishermen’s Day celebrations held in Raa Dhuvaafaru on 13 December, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu addressed the concerns stating that preparations were underway to enable MIFCO to begin purchasing yellowfin tuna as part of efforts to strengthen the fisheries sector. In line with this, MIFCO has started purchasing yellowfin tuna at a rate of MVR 25 per kilogram since yesterday. 

Minister Shiyam said yellowfin tuna fishermen play a significant role in the Maldivian fisheries industry, but noted that purchasing arrangements for the fish had not been managed sustainably in recent years. He added that policy changes introduced during previous administrations had placed fishermen in a difficult position.

He said the current Administration is working to strengthen the fisheries sector through sustainable measures, including expanding State purchasing capacity and ensuring reliable market access for fishermen. According to the minister, these efforts are intended to stabilise incomes and protect livelihoods across fishing communities.

During the visit, Minister Shiyam met with MIFCO management and staff to review progress at the facility and thanked the company’s senior management and operational teams for initiating the yellowfin tuna purchasing programme.