President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has on Tuesday submitted a new Fisheries Bill to the People’s Majlis, for consideration.

The bill was compiled with the assistance of experts and those that work in the field, and aims to facilitate “further progress” of the fisheries sector; a campaign pledge of President Solih.

The Fisheries Bill also covers “several measures and regulations” to ensure that the citizens benefit from it.

Noting that fisheries is “one of the most important policy areas of this administration in lights of its economic value and close identification with [the country’s] culture and traditions,” the President’s Office said that the government “intends to formulate a fisheries policy that will yield the most amount of benefit to Maldivian citizens.”

The bill states “harsh punitive measures and fines” to be taken against foreign vessels caught engaging in illicit activities in Maldivian territory, making it difficult for them “to engage in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing” in the country.

Furthermore, under this proposed legislation fishing methods will be restricted to pole and line fishing and hand-line fishing while harmful methods such as trawlnet fishing will be completely prohibited throughout the country.

The President’s Office noted that pole and line fishing and hand-line fishing are regarded as two of the most sustainable fisheries methods.”

The government’s second public forum session, and its first outside the capital, was focused on the fisheries sector.

President Solih, Vice President Faisal Naseem and Fisheries Minister Zaha Waheed attended the forum held in Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll earlier this month, along with other government officials.

A number of fishermen attended this forum, and shared their concerns and ideas for the sector.

President Solih’s administration plans to submit a total of 201 motions to parliament, which is to be fanned out throughout his five-year tenure.