Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has stated that fish prices paid to fishermen have now risen above MVR 16 per kilogram as a result of Government efforts to ensure fair prices for locally caught fish.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the campaign office for People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate Ahmed Saeed in the Addu City Hithadhoo North by-election, Minister Shiyam highlighted efforts by the Government to strengthen the fisheries sector and improve income opportunities for fishermen.

Minister Shiyam said significant efforts have been made over the past two and a half years to secure stable and competitive prices for fish purchased from fishermen.

“MIFCO is still purchasing fish at MVR 17 per kilogram. MVR 16 is now effectively the minimum price. On some days fish is purchased at MVR 18, and on other days at MVR 19. I do not remember fish being bought at MVR 16,” the Minister said.

He further stated that the Government is undertaking several initiatives both locally and internationally to further develop the fisheries industry. Minister Shiyam noted that the long-term result of these efforts would be the expansion of fisheries as a major foreign currency earning sector for the Maldives.

Figures released by the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) show that fish was purchased yesterday from five different harbours across the country. These included Felivaru Fisheries Complex, Kooddoo Fisheries Complex, Addu Fisheries Complex, Thinadhoo Harbour, and Fuvahmulah Harbour.

MIFCO currently purchases skipjack tuna at MVR 17 per kilogram. Yellowfin tuna weighing between 10 and 15 kilograms is purchased at MVR 20 per kilogram, while yellowfin tuna weighing above 15 kilograms is purchased at MVR 25 per kilogram.

Statistics also show that as of 21 May this month, more than MVR 1.9 million had been paid to 44 fishing vessels that supplied fish to MIFCO.