The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources was forced to cancel its scheduled visit to Dhevvadhoo Island in Gaaf Alif Atoll. This comes as the fishing community gears up to protest what they see as an unfulfilled list of promises and blatant neglect by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.
A fisherman from the island revealed that the fishing community had planned to rally against the government during the ministry’s visit, hoping to voice their frustrations over the state of the fishing industry. The planned protest was a reaction to what they describe as a complete abandonment by the government, which has failed to fulfill key promises made to fishermen.
“The government hasn’t done anything for us,” one fisherman lamented. “Our prices are slashed, and they’re not even paying us on time.”
The ministry’s team, scheduled to arrive on the island at 3 p.m. on Friday, was suddenly cancelled, with officials citing poor weather conditions as the reason. However, fishermen and residents were quick to point out that the real reason may be tied to the mounting protest.
“We were ready,” an island council official stated, acknowledging the anticipation surrounding the protest. The community had hoped to raise their voices, frustrated that promises made to the fishing industry have yet to materialize, especially after more than ten months of the current government’s rule.
This isn’t an isolated incident either. On Thursday, residents of Dhaandhoo Island in the same atoll expelled a similar team from the ministry, who were met with fierce resistance. Upon arriving at the harbor, ministry officials, including a deputy minister, were greeted by angry residents and fishermen, who refused them entry. Their reason? Fishermen have not been paid for their catch in over a month, with many owed upwards of MVR 300,000.
“There’s nothing to discuss,” one fisherman bluntly stated, reflecting the growing sentiment that dialogue with the ministry has become futile. Residents of Dhaandhoo say they no longer trust the ministry, and their frustrations boil down to an accumulation of broken promises and unpaid dues.
President Muizzu campaigned on a grand vision for Maldivian fishermen. He promised their rights would be safeguarded, with assurances of upfront payments for their catch and affordable fuel rates. Among the most tantalizing promises was that fishermen would be paid in US dollars within 48 hours for yellowfin tuna catches purchased by the state-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). Yet, ten months into his administration, these promises remain unfulfilled.
Instead, the fishing community is seeing the exact opposite. Prices for their catch have been slashed, the cost of fuel has surged, and fishermen are left waiting for payments that are long overdue. This failure to deliver has resulted in a drastic decline in people taking to the seas for fishing, a profession that is the backbone of the country’s economy.
The fishermen’s fury has only grown in recent months, with many saying they are tired of taking to the streets just to have their concerns heard. One fisherman expressed his frustration, saying, “It’s not acceptable for us to keep protesting every time the payments are delayed. We should be able to trust our government to honor their commitments.”
Fishermen across the country feel betrayed. The promises made by Muizzu during his campaign have turned into a nightmare for those relying on fishing as their primary source of income. The gap between Muizzu’s words and actions is widening, with many in the fishing community now questioning what happened to all the bold promises made during the election campaign.
While Muizzu’s administration continues to dodge these pressing issues, the fishing community’s frustrations are reaching a boiling point. The question now is how long this government can continue to avoid dealing with a sector that forms a crucial part of the Maldivian economy, before the country’s fishermen completely lose faith in their leadership.
As the government continues to stall, the brewing discontent within the fishing community signals a deeper crisis that Muizzu can no longer afford to ignore.
