"The EU has no more reasons to impede Maldives' fishing": Minister

Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, Zaha Waheed has stated that the European Union (EU) has no more reasons to hinder the Maldives fishing industry.

While speaking on RaajjeTV's "FalaSuruhee" program, the minister revealed that relations between the Maldives and the EU have soured due to illegal longline fishing practices in the country.

Last year, the EU warned the Maldives that the country's ongoing illegal longline practices will result in a Europe-wide ban on the imports of Maldivian fish products.

The minister explained that some of the violations noted by the EU include illegally exchanging the catch as well as the crew between vessels and the fishing of yellow-fin tuna which are mandated by law to be caught only through pole-and-line fishing.

As such, the minister claimed that action has been taken against those responsible for such violations and that the Maldives fishing industry is running smoothly and according to the law.

Highlighting the developments in the Maldives fishing sector, the minister stated that the ministry has begun monitoring fishing vessels using a tracking device installed in all fishing vessels. Moreover, she stated that the vessels also have an electronic observer system installed as well.

She noted that these new resources allow the ministry to track all licenses fishing vessels in real-time.