The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has disbursed MVR 17 million to fishermen for fish sold between 24 August last year and 25 September this year. This brings the government’s total payout to fishermen in 2024 to nearly MVR 1 billion.
Despite the recent payments, fishermen remain frustrated over persistent delays. A delegation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources faced protests just four days ago on Dhaandhoo Island in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, where local fishermen demanded immediate payment of hundreds of thousands of Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) owed to them. The fishermen stated that the government had failed to honour its promise to release the payments within two weeks, with dues remaining unpaid for over two months, leaving many in debt.
Fishermen on Dhaandhoo Island have insisted that no ministry delegation be allowed to enter the island until the outstanding payments are resolved. The delegation had intended to discuss a government project to install saltwater cooling systems in fishing vessels but encountered strong resistance from the community.
The current purchase prices from MIFCO are MVR 16 per kilogramme for iced fish weighing more than 1.5 kg, and MVR 14 for non-iced fish. For fish under 1.5 kg, the prices are MVR 7 and MVR 5 per kilogramme for iced and non-iced fish, respectively.
MIFCO has tied its fish purchase prices to international market rates, citing financial struggles that have led to a debt exceeding MVR 1.2 billion. This situation has raised concerns among fishermen about future price stability and payment delays.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has yet to comment on the ongoing protests and payment issues, leaving fishermen calling for swift action to address their grievances.
