Longline fishing will be monitored, won't allow illegal shark trade: Ministry

Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources of Maldives yesterday assured that longline fishing will be allowed in the country after strong mechanisms are put in place to monitor the activity and that there would be no opportunity to catch and carry out illegal trade of sharks within the process.

While the cabinet has already decided to allow longline fishing in the country with a special focus on yellow fin and big-eyed tuna as well as swordfish, with a regulation also formulated to the effect, several organisations have expressed concern over the decision and its impact on the environment.