Maldives’ First Reef Fishing Code of Conduct

Tuesday 10th of March 2020

Maldives’ First Reef Fishing Code of Conduct

Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) introduces a first of its kind fisheries code of conduct in the country, in partnership with the Maldives Underwater Initiative based in Six Senses Laamu.

According to BLUE, a group of nine fishermen signed up for the 'Laamaseelu Masveriya' programme. The program is to ensure that the process of fishing, from catch to sale, is conducted in a sustainable manner. Moreover, the program urges people to avoid fishing inside spawning sites across the country.

LUE's Executive Director Charles Clover: If we fish in a clever way in the Maldives, it is possible to create reef fisheries that work sustainably for both resorts and fishermen. There is still a long way to go in safeguarding Maldivian fish populations for everyone, but this novel model is an important first step.

One of the fishermen who signed the agreement noticed a decrease in the catch of fish in recent years. Fisheries statistics in 2014 indicated that Maldivians sourced roughly 29,000 metric tons of fish, just short of the country’s maximum sustainable yield of 30,000 metric tonnes.