Less Fishing, Lower Income: Weighing Tuna and Sourcing Ice Take Their Toll

The Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) has expressed concern over declining incomes for fishermen, stating that the time spent waiting to weigh yellowfin tuna and procure ice now exceeds the time actually spent fishing.

In a social media post, the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) expressed deep concern over the recurring challenges faced by yellowfin tuna fishermen. The union highlighted that during every peak fishing season, fishermen are left disheartened as they struggle to sell their hard-earned catch, often forced to endure long waits in queues. According to the union, the price of yellowfin tuna stood at just 35 Rufiyaa per kilogram yesterday. The BKMU described this price drop as a significant blow and a source of great distress for those involved in the yellowfin tuna fishing industry.

It is deeply disheartening that during every peak fishing season, yellowfin tuna fishermen are faced with the frustration of struggling to sell their hard-earned catch and being forced to endure long queues. Reducing the average price of yellowfin tuna to 35 Rufiyaa today is a significant blow to all fishermen and their families.

Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU)

The Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) has stated that the current situation forces fishermen to sell yellowfin tuna at lower prices due to deteriorating quality and increasing rejection rates caused by long wait times in queues. The union emphasized that the only viable solution to this crisis is for MIFCO to begin purchasing yellowfin tuna, as pledged in the government's manifesto. In December last year, the union staged protests over the lack of fair pricing for their catch and MIFCO's continued refusal to purchase yellowfin tuna.

The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has been purchasing yellowfin tuna since January 21st of this year. Under its current pricing structure, the company buys tuna weighing between 10 and 15 kilograms at MVR 20 per kilo, while fish weighing over 15 kilograms are purchased at MVR 25 per kilo. MIFCO reports that it has disbursed over MVR 1 million to fishermen since it began purchasing yellowfin tuna. Although the company maintains that payments are processed within 48 hours of the catch being landed, fishermen continue to voice long-standing grievances regarding significant delays in receiving their funds.

Many fishermen are expressing growing concern over the government's failure to fulfill its promises to the industry. Tensions have escalated particularly following recent remarks by Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, who stated that the yellowfin tuna factory in Hulhumalé will now take another year and a half to complete, despite previous assurances that the facility would open within this year.