Fisheries Union Expresses Concern Over Plans to Reintroduce Longline Fishing

The Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU), representing yellowfin tuna fishermen in the Maldives, expressed concern over the government's proposal to reintroduce longline fishing. Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam announced the plan to maximize yellowfin tuna quotas set by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), which allocated 47,517 metric tonnes to the Maldives for 2022. The BKMU warned that longline fishing could devastate the pole-and-line fishery, favoring large corporations and causing financial hardship for local fishermen. They demand the government establish a minimum buying rate of MVR 80-100 per kg and postpone longline fishing until MIFCO purchases yellowfin. The union is organizing a protest in Malé.

The Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU), representing yellowfin tuna fishermen in the Maldives, expressed concern over the government's proposal to reintroduce longline fishing. Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam announced the plan to maximize yellowfin tuna quotas set by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), which allocated 47,517 metric tonnes to the Maldives for 2022. The BKMU warned that longline fishing could devastate the pole-and-line fishery, favoring large corporations and causing financial hardship for local fishermen. They demand the government establish a minimum buying rate of MVR 80-100 per kg and postpone longline fishing until MIFCO purchases yellowfin. The union is organizing a protest in Malé.

The Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU), representing yellowfin tuna fishermen in the Maldives, expressed concern over the government's proposal to reintroduce longline fishing. Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam announced the plan to maximize yellowfin tuna quotas set by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), which allocated 47,517 metric tonnes to the Maldives for 2022. The BKMU warned that longline fishing could devastate the pole-and-line fishery, favoring large corporations and causing financial hardship for local fishermen. They demand the government establish a minimum buying rate of MVR 80-100 per kg and postpone longline fishing until MIFCO purchases yellowfin. The union is organizing a protest in Malé.

This story involves 1 source and may affect public understanding of union concern / fisheries.