MIFCO's Managing Director Mohamed Anas stated today that claims made by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) regarding MIFCO limiting ice sales to yellow fin tuna fishing vessels at a rate of two tons per boat are untrue.

In a statement released today, BKMU said that changes to the regulations, restricting the sale of ice from MIFCO's ice plants to two tons per boat daily, have made it difficult for fishermen to go out to sea.

Responding to a question from Mihaaru regarding BKMU's statement, Anas said that in addition to providing two tons of ice free of charge to boats that weigh fish at MIFCO, ice is sold to the maximum capacity of the ice plants.

"The change MIFCO brought to ice was a change brought to providing free ice. In addition to the free ice, ice will be available for purchase; there is no specific limit on issuing ice to yellowfin tuna fishermen. However, depending on capacity, there may be times when the requested amount cannot be provided," Anas said.

According to him, although he maintains a very close relationship with the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union, the union released the statement this time without even giving him a call.

He also noted that some individual boats occasionally request up to 10 tons of ice, and there are times when it cannot be issued in that manner.

BKMU's statement asserted that the change brought by MIFCO has made it difficult for fishermen to go out to sea, and requested that arrangements be made to sell ice in quantities that do not obstruct fishermen from departing for fishing trips.