Shortage of Collector Vessels Slows Down Maldives Tuna Fisheries ff
11 October 2002
Maldives Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Maldives has stated that Jausa Fisheries Link would start collecting fish from Zone-1 within 45 days. Of the total fish landings in the Maldives 98% consists out of tuna. A spokesperson from the Ministry said the Jausa was delayed from collecting fish because their collector vessels have not arrived yet. He also reported that the company had stated that they would start collecting fish within 45 days. Of the two companies that got exclusive right to collect fresh tuna from local fishermen of Zone-1, Island Enterprises has already started collecting fish. In an interview with “Miadhu†Daily, Chairman of Island Enterprises said five fish collecting vessels would be arriving today, and including the collector vessel that arrived yesterday, they would be having 6 vessels operating within 15 days. The company is now operating with only one collector vessel. Answering the question whether they would increase the collecting rate for fish, Gasim said that they were currently collecting at the same rate as MIFCO, the only tuna cannery at the Maldives. “We can not increase the rates right at the beginning. The rates would depend on the value of fish in the international markets. Current market value does not allow us to change the rate.†Gasim also said that they were building factories and cold storage for food production and packaging. “During the first six moths we would be only buying fish. After that we will be expanding.†When Island Enterprises increase their fish collection amount, the MIFCO cannery would recall their own vessels. Fisheries Ministry stated that they would stop collecting fish from the zone within 15 days. The Ministry also informed that they are preparing to privatize Zone-3 and open the zone to bidders this year.
