On the occasion of World Tuna Day, observed annually on May 2, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives' commitment to sustainable fishing by highlighting the country’s traditional pole-and-line technique as a model of responsible practice.

This year’s observance, held under the United Nations theme “Our Ocean, Our Tuna, Our Future,” underscores the vital ecological and economic significance of tuna in global marine ecosystems and fisheries.

President Dr Muizzu emphasised that the Maldives’ long-standing use of the pole-and-line method reflects the nation’s enduring dedication to conservation and sustainable resource management. He noted that this technique not only supports the preservation of tuna stocks but also plays a crucial role in sustaining the livelihoods of fishing communities across the archipelago.

Unlike industrial-scale fishing operations that frequently contribute to overfishing and environmental degradation, the Maldivian one-by-one catch approach rooted in generations of tradition, has been internationally recognised for its minimal bycatch and low impact on marine biodiversity.

With fishing serving as a foundational pillar of the Maldivian economy, the Government has introduced several initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable growth within the sector. These include the establishment of a national fishermen’s register to improve regulatory oversight, as well as new financial instruments such as personal loans designed to give fishermen direct access to capital for upgrading equipment and enhancing operational efficiency.