Fishermen vow to continue protest until a solution is found

The yellowfin tuna fishermen have stated that the protest they began three days ago will not cease until a solution is found for their concerns.

At a press conference held today by the Yellowfin Tuna Fishermen's Union, the Union's Vice President, Imraan Mohamed, said that while the protest has been described as a political act, it is not. He emphasized that the fishermen are protesting due to numerous serious concerns.

Imraan stated that many yellowfin tuna fishermen have been unable to start fishing, leaving many families at a disadvantage. He further alleged that Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam is secretly working with private companies that buy yellowfin tuna to destroy the yellowfin tuna fishing industry.

Imraan pointed out that although the government claims to be paying fishermen, the yellowfin tuna fishermen have not received payment. He highlighted that they have gone three to four months without receiving money from the companies that buy their catch. He firmly declared that unless a solution is found for this issue, the fishermen will not go out to sea.

Imraan stressed that fishermen are resilient and will stand firm in their protest for as long as necessary. He stated that the protest will only end when the Minister comes forward and provides solutions, and this has been communicated to the Minister.

"I would ask the Minister to come here quickly. These are the fishermen. This is not some other group. These are fishermen in distress. It is not appropriate to go and make merry with fishermen who are happy. I would ask [the Minister] to look into the plight of the fishermen who are in distress and find whatever solution can be provided for them," Imraan urged.

Minister Shiyam is currently in R. Dhuvaafaru for the official Fishermen's Day activities.

The protest began three days ago near the Kanneli Jetty in Hulhumalé and later continued outside the official jetty in Malé. The day after the protest started, police boarded the boats and arrested some individuals, including Mauroof Zakir, an MDP Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, a co-founder and General Secretary of the Yellowfin Tuna Fishermen's Union, who was leading the protest.

Criminal Court yesterday remanded those arrested for five days.

To break up the protest, the police also seized three boats and handed over four expatriates who participated in the demonstration to Immigration authorities.

The yellowfin tuna fishermen have been demanding that the government, through MIFCO, buy their yellowfin tuna or find other solutions in consultation with them.

They are also demanding that the purchase price of yellowfin tuna be maintained between MVR 80 and MVR 100, and that they be provided with fuel and ice at a subsidized base rate a promise they state the government made to them. The yellowfin tuna fishermen are currently continuing their protest near the Kanneli Jetty in Hulhumalé.