President Mohamed Nasheed has announced that the government has decided to allow local fish canning factories to import fish to overcome the shortage of local fish supply in order to make the factories viable.
Speaking in Ukulhas of North Ari Atoll, at the official function to mark this year´s Maldives Fishermen´s Day, President Nasheed said local fish canneries were running below capacity due to dwindling local fish catch.
He said granting local canneries permit to import fresh fish would allow them to buy fish cheaper from abroad to diversify their product line and re-export.
The President noted that Maldivian livelihood and economy depended on fishing, and the fishing industry, to a large extent, contributed to the development of the country.
In spite of better fish catch in northern atolls, the President said the fish catch has been in decline for the past ten to fifteen years.
The President said, according to fishing industry experts, overseas trawlers and purse seiners that fish in huge quantities just out of the country was responsible for the declining fish catch in the Maldives.
He reiterated that, with the current fishing industry trends, the Maldives could not take the maximum benefit of its rich natural resources.
In this regard, he underscored the importance of diversifying fisheries sector to help the country buffer the external economic shocks.
Saying that Maldivians have undermined a large part of the country´s marine resources, the President revealed that the developing grouper fisheries would be a major objective of the next two year´s budget.
He also said the government aims to increase the export of sea cucumbers, and expected to yield more than US$ 50 million from the exports.
The President, further, said that the government has already announced that it will allow any small and medium enterprise in fishing industry can buy from local fishermen and export fish.
