The administration remains committed to resolve the challenges facing the fishermen of Huvadhu Atoll, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He said this while speaking at the official function held to mark the 42nd National Fishermen’s Day, held in Faresmaathoda island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll.

As such, taking the podium at the event, President Solih reaffirmed that he remains committed to resolve the challenges facing the Huvadhu Atoll fisher community, at the earliest.

President Solih met the fisher community in Faresmaathoda island earlier on Sunday and inquired about their needs.

Shedding light on the discussions held at the meeting, President Solih noted the challenges and difficulties faced in selling catch, acquiring fuel, and costs associated with travelling to fish collection points as some of the main issues facing the fisher community of Huvadhu Atoll.

President Solih assured that efforts are currently underway to address these issues as soon as possible.

He went on to shed light on some of the measures taken by the government, revealing plans to dedicate a 270-ton storage space as well as 120-ton brine freezing space to the atoll in the upcoming year.

President Solih noted that arrangements are being made to supply fuel at low costs and on credit through Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM), on the topic of addressing the issues related to fuel.

The president went on to touch upon the administration’s plans to expand storage and fish processing capacity across the country, adding that projects are ongoing to increase the storage and processing capacity of Kooddoo Fisheries and Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO).

Further, projects are also underway to establish cold storage and freezing facilities in Thinadhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal Atoll and bringing the facility in Funaddoo island of Thaa Atoll into operation

Sunday evening’s event saw the president conferring awards and certificates to the recipients of the “Youngest Fishermen” award, the three vessels that sold the highest capacity, and the three companies that bought the highest capacity.

Long-service awards and plaques were also conferred to students who attained outstanding results in marine sciences in the Cambridge Ordinary Level Examinations.

Afterwards, the president conferred a special plaque of recognition for the numerous contributions made by the late Dr. Fathin Hameed to the progress of the fisheries sector.