Speaking at the function held on Thursday evening to mark this year’s Fishermen’s Day, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has reiterated the importance of practicing environmental friendly and sustainable fisheries in the Maldives.
Highlighting that the pole and line fishery practiced in the Maldives was one of the most sustainable methods of fishing, President Yameen asserted that the practice has gained the Maldives fish exports premium quality in international markets. However, the President stated that the Maldives has no control on setting the price of its fish in the international markets due to its small scale of supply.
Underscoring that the fisheries industry faced the biggest challenges to development among its industries, President Yameen noted that Maldives was no longer eligible for duty free concessions under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), a non-reciprocal trade agreement extended to developing countries by the European Union. Continuing on, President Yameen further highlighted that the country has now had to compete with highly efficient, large scale suppliers.
President Yameen urged the importance of adopting best practices, and seeking technical expertise and know-how, to build the capacity of the fisheries industry, to effectively compete with the international markets.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President also highlighted the efforts being undertaken by the Government to provide further employment opportunities for the Maldivian youth. On this line, President Yameen noted that Felivaru Fisherman’s Marina inaugurated earlier that morning, would create an additional 240 jobs for youth. The President further said the Marina would support the Government’s efforts to encourage more young people to enter the fisheries industry.
