Measures to be taken to regulate illegal fishing

An agreement has been signed between Fisheries Ministry and Maldives Customs service to stop Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, by enforcing regulatory measures on the harbours of the country.

Fisheries Ministry stated that the main purpose of this agreement is for both institutions to coordinate together to implement the regulatory measures of the existing regulations in order to stop IUU fishing.

The ministry also mentioned that with these regulations implemented, it would be easier to give inward and outward clearance and inspect foreign vessels which enter Maldivian harbours for fisheries related purposes such as purchase and loading of fish as well as reefer vessels.

These regulations are expected to cease foreign fishing vessels from unauthorized utilization of Maldivian harbours as well as monitor stop the activities of undocumented foreign fishing vessels.