Positive changes to fish prices will be observed in early 2022, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The president delivered a speech at the official function held in Gaafaru island of Kaafu atoll to mark the 41st National Fishermen’s Day, on Friday.

As such, he noted that fishermen will be able to reap the benefits of the government’s efforts to expand the fisheries sector, including positive changes to pricing, in early 2022.

Shedding light on the economic crisis Maldives faced due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the president stated that the fisheries sector was one that survived to continue uninterrupted as an economic support.

He also emphasized on some of the positive changes the government has paves for fishermen and reaffirmed that the government remains committed to build a sustainable fishing industry.

With this being said, he revealed that the government highly prioritizes to ensure timely payments for fishermen.

As such, he noted that the debt of MVR 39.5 million owed to fishermen by the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) when the Solih administration began, had been cleared.

Following this, the new policies to issue weekly payments to fishermen were also implemented.

Noting that maintaining quality is one of the areas the government is focusing on improving, including the establishment of a nationwide mechanism to provide ice to fishing vessels, the president noted that the quality of fish is a significant factor that determines pricing.

The president also inaugurated a newly developed ice plant in the island as part of his visit.

Ice plants have also been completed in Maduvvari Island of Raa Atoll and Hoarafushi Island of Haa Alifu Atoll.

Further, a 50-tonne ice plant has also been established in Felivaru, with the development of 18 other ice plants currently underway in 12 atolls.

Production will hike to 15,000 tonnes per month once the projects are completed. The president described this as an important progress for the sector.

He stressed on the importance of increasing the production of value-added products as well.

To mark the occasion of the National Fishermen’s Day of 2021, a number of activities were held in Gaafaru island.

The official ceremony to mark the day was joined by Vice President Faisal Naseem, Cabinet Ministers and government officials.