Government has drafted amendments to Fisheries Act in a manner that obstructs and burdens fishermen in every possible way: Nazil
Hithadhoo South MP Ibrahim Nazil has criticized the government's proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act, asserting that the changes prioritize heavy fines and fees over the welfare of fishermen. During the debate, Nazil highlighted that many of the 25 proposed articles are designed to impose burdens rather than benefits on fishing families, specifically pointing to new vessel fees and provisions allowing for fines of up to MVR 2 million.
Ibrahim Nazil, Member of Parliament for the South Hithadhoo constituency and Leader of the MDP Parliamentary Group. | People's Majlis | Majilis
Ibrahim Nazil, the Member of Parliament for South Hithadhoo and Leader of the MDP Parliamentary Group, has criticized the government's proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act, stating that the changes primarily focus on imposing fees and fines on fishermen. He asserted that the bill is designed to obstruct and burden the fishing community in as many ways as possible.
During Tuesday's People's Majlis sitting, the preliminary debate commenced on a government-sponsored bill to amend the Maldives Fisheries Act. The legislation was introduced by the Member of Parliament for South Thinadhoo, Mohamed Alsan Ahmed.
Debating the bill, Nazil noted that while 25 articles have been amended, more than 19 of these revisions focus on imposing fees on fishermen, designating restricted fishing zones, and introducing heavy penalties. He highlighted that the bill includes provisions for fines reaching as high as MVR 2 million.
Nazil stated that while the government had rushed to amend the law, he had hoped the bill would be designed to significantly benefit fishermen, particularly those active in the Maldives. However, he noted that the bill was instead drafted in a manner that creates numerous difficulties for them.
The entire bill is designed to obstruct and penalize fishermen in every possible way, including threats of legal action, punitive measures, and the imposition of fees when fishing vessels are docked. While government members have focused their rhetoric on trivial matters such as betel nuts, water bills, and electricity costs, they have failed to reference a single clause in this bill that demonstrates any actual benefit to the fishermen.Ibrahim Nazil, Member of Parliament for the Hithadhoo South constituency and Leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group.
Nazil stated that he would have commended the amendment had it been proposed by a government member to benefit the fishing community. However, the member asserted that this bill offers no benefit to fishermen or their families.
The bill outlines the specific circumstances under which fishermen can be fined, the corresponding penalty amounts, and various other regulations and procedures.
