Maldivian fishing vessels trespassing in other countries' territorial waters could damage the entire country’s fisheries industry, says the fisheries ministry.
The ministry said this in a statement issued on Saturday, after a Maldivian fishing vessel was detained by Indian Coastguard for trespassing on its waters three miles outside of Minicoy island.
Noting that this is against the Maldives’ fisheries laws and regulations, the ministry said that the country is obligated to stop such activities as per the international treaties and practices that it is committed to.
Hence, the ministry cautioned against committing such illegal activities.
Stressing that this could also affect Maldives’ fishing industry, the ministry stated that such vessels caught trespassing in another country’s waters are likely to be blacklisted by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC); IOTC is responsible for the management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean.
“A Maldivian vessel has never been included in this list”Fisheries Ministry
It added that this could ruin the country’s image for buyers, in turn affecting the whole fishing industry.
The ministry further said that it will take action against those caught trespassing in international waters, as per Maldives’ laws and regulations.
In addition, the fisheries ministry highlighted that the “Catch Certificate” -released by the ministry granting permission to export fish to Europe- will only be given to fishes caught in Maldivian waters.
The statement explained that there is “about 35 nautical miles” between Maldives’ territorial waters and the Indian Special Economic Zone.
