Ensis stops providing free ice to fishermen
Ensis Fisheries has ceased providing free ice to yellowfin tuna fishermen due to rising operational costs driven by a surge in global fuel prices. The company stated that the significant increase in fuel expenses has made it difficult to sustain its operations, necessitating this measure. In light of these challenges, fishermen are calling on the government to provide urgent solutions to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on the fishing industry.
Ensis, a major yellowfin tuna processing company, has previously been providing ice free of charge to the fishermen who supply their catch to the facility. | Ensis Fisheries | Ensis Fisheries
Ensis Fisheries Private Limited, one of the Maldives' leading fish exporters, has ceased providing free ice to yellowfin tuna fishermen.
Ensis, a major yellowfin tuna exporter, stated that it was compelled to take this measure due to the rising costs of ice production, driven by a sharp increase in fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the company noted that the skyrocketing cost of fuel has made the expenses associated with ice production and distribution an unsustainable financial burden.
Consequently, the company stated that it has been forced to discontinue the provision of free ice to yellowfin tuna fishermen.
While Ensis has ceased providing free ice to fishermen, yellowfin tuna fishers are also being forced to purchase fuel at standard market rates. Fishermen maintain that operating at these prices is financially unsustainable. Despite the government's prior assurances that yellowfin tuna fishers would be provided with fuel at subsidized rates, they continue to face high costs at the pump to this day.
MIFCO has announced that it will provide fuel at subsidized rates to those who sell their catch to the company. However, as MIFCO primarily purchases fish from pole-and-line vessels, yellowfin tuna fishermen will not be eligible for these discounted fuel prices.
Prices for all fuel types, excluding those sold at the government-owned FSM land-based petrol stations, were hiked on Monday. A liter of petrol is now priced at MVR 27.13, up from the previous rate of MVR 13.50, marking a significant increase of 100.96 percent. Similarly, the price of diesel has risen to MVR 28.32 per liter from its former price of MVR 13.92, representing a 103 percent surge.
The government has sought India's assistance in securing fuel supplies for the Maldives, as global energy markets continue to face disruptions due to ongoing conflicts. Fishermen are calling on the government to find an urgent solution to the challenges facing the fisheries industry, which have been exacerbated by rising fuel prices.
