President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has extended greetings on the occasion of World Tuna Day, describing the Maldives’ traditional pole-and-line fishing method as a model for the world. He made the statement in a post on social media platform X to mark the day.
In his message, the President praised the hardworking individuals in the fisheries sector and extended his felicitations to them on this special occasion.
The Maldives is renowned for its pristine waters and commitment to sustainable and ethical fishing practices. Despite adhering to these principles, the country lacks the capacity to influence global fish prices—an advantage enjoyed by other nations.
In response to these challenges, the Government has introduced several initiatives aimed at safeguarding the long-term viability of the sector. One key objective is to increase aggregate fish storage capacity to 25,000 tonnes by the end of the current presidential term. Funding for this project has been secured, and work is already in progress.
Furthermore, in an effort to diversify the fisheries sector, the Government, together with the SME Development Financing Corporation, has provided loans to businesses to launch reef fishing and sport fishing operations. To date, 62 recipients have been awarded loans under this initiative, amounting to MVR 30 million.
The Government has also invested in education, training, and technological innovation to further strengthen the industry.
The Administration continues to implement strategic measures to address longstanding systemic issues within the fisheries sector.
World Tuna Day is observed annually on 2nd May, highlighting the importance of sustainable fishing and the need to combat overfishing.