Yellowfin Tuna Fishermen Protest Unfulfilled Pledges off Male’ City

Yellowfin tuna fishermen gathered in boats off the capital Male’ City on Wednesday to protest the lack of progress in delivering promises made to them by authorities. The demonstration, organized by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU), a trade union representing yellowfin tuna fishermen, began at Hulhumale’ jetty before moving towards Male’ City. Over a dozen boats congregated near the No. 1 Jetty but were blocked from entering the lagoon by the Coast Guard and police. The fishermen are demanding the fulfillment of three pledges outlined in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s manifesto: the purchase of yellowfin tuna by the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), setting a floor price of MVR 80–100 per kilo, and providing fuel at the base rate with improved access to ice. The BKMU has repeatedly urged the government to address these issues since the administration took office, but their efforts have yet to yield results, leaving the fishermen disillusioned.