Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has called for stronger global advocacy and investment in the development of small-scale fisheries, highlighting the need to bring the issue to the forefront of international discussions.

The Minister made the remarks during a special session on promoting sustainable small-scale fisheries management, initiated by the Maldives, held on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).

Speaking at the session, Minister Shiyam emphasised the urgency of supporting small-scale fishers, who are often left behind in terms of policy support, innovation, and investment. He also reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to advancing the fisheries sector through science and technology.

Dr Hussain Sinan, Director General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, also spoke at the session, reiterating the Maldivian government’s dedication to organising and managing fisheries based on sustainability and equity. He highlighted efforts to improve access to international markets for fish products and ensure that the benefits of small-scale fisheries are equitably shared.

The session featured presentations by governments, regional organisations, and international partners, who shared case studies and strategies for planning and managing sustainable small-scale fisheries. The discussions explored transferable approaches that other countries could adopt.

Indonesia’s Director-General of Capture Fisheries provided an overview of Indonesia’s fishing practices and shared its experience in strengthening the blue economy through quota management, stakeholder engagement, and international cooperation.

Representatives from regional organisations also contributed. Dr Krishnan, Director of the Bay of Bengal Programme – Intergovernmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), outlined plans to empower small-scale fisheries across the region and announced the organisation’s commitment to supporting member states in developing national action plans.

Dr Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), spoke about FAO initiatives aimed at sustaining growth in fishing communities and expressed full support for BOBP-IGO’s efforts in implementing national action plans.