The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has disbursed more than MVR 927 million to fishermen over the course of 2025, according to the company’s latest statistics.

MIFCO data shows that over 58,000 tonnes of fish were weighed during the year, with total payments to fishermen amounting to MVR 927,867,656. The highest monthly payout was recorded in February, when MVR 138.9 million was paid to fishermen.

Monthly disbursements in 2025 were as follows: MVR 119.3 million in January, MVR 138.9 million in February, MVR 87.4 million in March, MVR 101.1 million in April, MVR 103.5 million in May, MVR 58.2 million in June, MVR 62.2 million in July, MVR 46.3 million in August, MVR 39.3 million in September, MVR 31.3 million in October, MVR 39.6 million in November, and MVR 100.7 million in December.

The year also saw a number of key policy decisions aimed at strengthening the fisheries sector. MIFCO increased the purchase price of fish from fishermen to MVR 16 per kilogramme, while reducing the price of fuel sold to fishermen to MVR 13 per litre.

The Government has continued to prioritise fishermen in policymaking. In addition to higher fish prices and lower fuel costs, measures introduced include the National Fishermen’s Register to improve access to finance, as well as the creation of a dedicated category for fishermen under the Government’s social housing scheme.