The Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, has assured fishermen that the Government is taking decisive action to address the long-standing challenges plaguing the sector.

Speaking on MMTV’s Bodu Khabaru programme, Minister Shiyam acknowledged key issues, including limited fish weighing and processing capacities, as well as inadequate access to fuel and ice, which have hindered the fishing industry for years.

To tackle these problems, Minister Shiyam outlined the Government’s plans for capacity development. He revealed that work has already begun to expand fish processing facilities, aiming to achieve a capacity of 300 metric tonnes once completed.

Additionally, the Minister stressed the need to halt raw fish exports, emphasising that exporting processed fish would bring higher value to the nation.

Minister Shiyam highlighted that the Government inherited a debt of around MVR 250 million owed to fishermen when it assumed office, a backlog that has since been fully cleared, demonstrating the administration's dedication to supporting the fishing community.

He also noted the detrimental impact of the previous administration’s decision to raise fish purchase prices during elections without a sustainable basis, a move that hurt private fish companies.

The Government plans to complete a significant portion of its initiatives by next year, including the establishment of some of the 17 new ice plants and ensuring equal fuel pricing across all atolls.

Additionally, the Minister highlighted the loan opportunities for fishermen to install Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) systems on vessels are expected to provide lucrative investment opportunities.