Traditionally fishery is the main occupation
and major livelihood of the Maldivians.
It is also the second largest industry
in the Maldives. The main methods of fishing
are pole and line for skipjack tuna. Surface
trolling is done for little tuna, frigate
mackerel, wahoo and jacks. The main composition
of fish catch is skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus
pelamis), representing 50-75% of the total
catch.
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Tuna cut and
cleaned for cooking to make smoked
tuna |
The second most important fish caught
is the yellowfin tuna (Thunus albacaraes).
The main fish products exported are; frozen
fish, canned fish, dried fish and salted
dry fish. The traditional fishing vessel
is a sailing dhoni not about less than
15 feet long. Thatch sail were also used
in the early days of fishing. Clothe sails
and rowing is common in traditional fishing
practice. The Maldivan fishery is famous
in the world for its dolphin friendliness.
A fisherman at Gulhi island - bringing
fish home.
The mechanisation of fishing vessels revolutionised
the Maldivian fishing industry. It enabled
the fisherman to travel much farther distances,
than were possible when sailed boats were
in use. It meant that the direction and
speed of the wind were no longer determinants
of the distances travelled by fishermen
in search of fish. Establishment of cold
storage facilities was another important
landmark in the development of the fisheries
industry. In 1997 average number of mechanised
fishing (dhonis) vessels engaged in fishing
were 1,328. Catches of tuna and other
tuna like species tripled from 30,000
metric tons to 100,000 metric tons in
1994. The total catch of fish increased
to 107,358.17 metric tons. Haa Alif, Raa
and Baa, Lhaviyani, Kaafu, Thaa, Laamu
and Gaafu are the principle fishing atolls
representing about 75% of total fish landings.
In the past Maldives exported tuna primarily
in the dried and smoked form called hiki
kandumas or 'Maldive Fish' to Sri Lanka.
In 1971 due to reduction in purchase of
'Maldive Fish' there was a strong need
for diversification of the product and
market. Maldives also exported other form
of fish products to Japan and Thailand.
In 1982 the export of fish was severely
affected because of the drop in negotiated
export prices caused by world recession
and decline of demand for the Japanese
companies which had been regularly buying
fish from Malé.
However, the government of the Maldives
stepped in to take over the collection
and canning facilities of Japanese company,
which had withdrawn from the country.
Authorities ensured that the procurement
prices paid to the fishermen were maintained.
Later better prices were negotiated with
some buyers in Thailand and other countries.
The government of Maldives implements
various projects to diversify the fish
projects and get new markets. Ministry
of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources
is the government authority concerning
the implementation of projects and studying
the various impacts of new developments
in this sector. During 1980s Fisheries
Ministry started a project to anchor mooring
buoys in various parts of the country
to attract tuna. Fishermen's Day is also
marked to emphasise the importance of
fishing to the Maldivian economy and the
livelihood of Maldivians.
The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company
Ltd. is a government owned company which
carries out business in the field of fishery.
MIFCO buys fresh tuna from local fishermen.
They have collector vessels deployed in
fishing atolls. It also owns a fish-canning
factory at Felivaru in Lhaviyani Atoll.
MIFCO operates a boatyard in Alifushi,
where larger fishing vessels are now built
and sold to the people on hire purchase
basis. Fishery in the Maldives shows a
promising future. The industry needs modernisation
and new technology to keep pace with the
global economic development.
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