An international rating has been granted to the skipjack tuna fishery conducted in the Maldives for the first time.
The Ministry of Fisheries stated today that the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s "Seafood Watch" program, which is referenced by companies and others purchasing fish in the United States, has assigned a specific rating to the Maldives in its latest criteria release.
The Fisheries Ministry noted that this is the first time in the history of "Seafood Watch" that a country-specific rating has been established for skipjack tuna fishery.
"This is a historic advancement for the Maldives and for the assessment of sustainable fisheries on a global scale," the Ministry's statement said.
According to the Fisheries Ministry, the newly released guidelines categorize skipjack tuna fishing in the Maldives as a sustainable practice. The Ministry stated that while there are sustainability concerns regarding skipjack tuna fisheries in various parts of the Indian Ocean, Maldivian fishery products have been rated as the "Best Choice" for trade across this entire region.
"This is the result of many years of hard work by Maldivian fishermen, fish buyers and processors, and the government," the statement said.
Regarding the success achieved by the Maldives, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam stated that this is a moment of pride for the country. He noted that the Maldives becoming the first to receive a country-specific rating from "Seafood Watch" is evidence that the Maldivian fishery model, built on sustainability and responsibility, has been recognized at an international level.
The Minister added that this is the fruitful result of the efforts made by Maldivian fishermen to protect the seas and reefs while building the nation's economy.
The Fisheries Ministry said the result of receiving a specific rating for Maldivian skipjack tuna fishery is that it opens doors for Maldivian exporters in the North American market, one of the world's most prominent markets for sustainably produced tuna varieties.
"At a time when attention toward sustainable fisheries is increasing in the global market, this rating will pave the way for Maldivian skipjack tuna products to secure better prices and for the Maldives to gain an advantage in international competition," the Ministry said.
The Maldives' pole-and-line skipjack tuna fishery has previously received the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, which has also been granted to the yellowfin tuna handline fishery.
