Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, has stated that work is underway to fully digitalise the fisheries value chain in the Maldives by the end of this year.

He made the remarks at a meeting organised by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), held on the sidelines of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3).

The Minister said the Maldives is undertaking major efforts to modernise the sector, including systematically recording and publicly sharing vessel ownership information to ensure transparency and accountability.

Highlighting the importance of data in modern governance, he noted that reliable, well-managed data is essential for law enforcement and building stakeholder trust.

He added that international standards in fisheries governance require the support of influential nations, and affirmed the Maldives’ commitment to upholding international laws and setting a positive example.

At UNOC 3, Minister Shiyam also delivered a national statement on behalf of the Maldives, calling for inclusive, equitable ocean governance. He further appealed for accessible financial support for small island states (SIDS) to strengthen marine security and sustainability.