Fisheries Minister Defends Fuel Policy Amid Fishermen’s Concerns

Ahmed Shiyam has defended the government’s fuel policy for the fishing sector following concerns raised by fishermen over access to subsidised fuel.

In a post on X, Shiyam said the government continues to ensure that Maldivian fishermen are able to go out to sea despite ongoing challenges, including fluctuations in global oil prices. He added that the state has worked to manage fuel costs without passing the burden onto fishermen.

The minister also criticised recent media coverage, suggesting that reports did not fully reflect the situation on the ground. He noted that after a prolonged period of weak bait fishing, conditions are now improving nationwide, with fishing activity also picking up. Efforts are underway, he said, to direct vessels to the most productive fishing areas.

މިއީ ރަނގަޅު ޚަބަރެއްނޫން. މި އުނދަގޫ ހާލަތުގައިވެސް ސަރުކާރުން ޔަޤީންކުރާ އެއްކަމަކީ ދިވެހި މަސްވެރިން މަސްކަނޑުތަކަށް ނިކުމެވޭނެކަން ކަށަވަރުކުރުން. ދުނިޔޭގެ ބާޒާރުގައި ތެލުގެއަގު އެހައި މައްޗަށް ދިޔައިރުވެސް ދިވެހި މަސްވެރިންނަށް އެބުރަ ނުޖައްސައި ސަރުކާރުން މިއަދާ… pic.twitter.com/yGGxcMdyCe— Ahmed Shiyam (@Shiyamaldives) April 18, 2026

Shiyam further stated that the government is closely monitoring the sector and is working with industry stakeholders to address operational challenges faced by fishing companies.

His remarks come after a report by Dhauru questioned government claims that fuel is available to fishermen at consistent prices.

According to the report, fishermen said subsidised fuel—priced at MVR 28.24 per litre—is only available in limited quantities through the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). Boats over 85 feet are eligible for up to 1,200 litres, while smaller vessels can access up to 800 litres at the subsidised rate.

Fishermen said these limits are often insufficient, citing additional time and fuel required for travel and preparation, including bait fishing. They added that while fuel is available in unlimited quantities from suppliers such as Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM) in Kooddoo, it is sold at the non-subsidised rate of MVR 31.33 per litre.

The issue has sparked debate over the accessibility and adequacy of fuel support measures for the country’s fishing industry.

Last month, the State Trading Organisation (STO) said it would continue supplying fuel to private ferry operators at previous prices while maintaining subsidised fuel for fishermen under the government’s “Fahi Hakatha” programme. The announcement followed a nationwide increase in petrol and diesel prices for private businesses, driven by shifts in the global oil market.

In Malé, diesel prices rose to MVR 27.22 per litre and petrol to MVR 26.14, with higher rates in the atolls. The increase has already contributed to higher ticket prices for private speedboats, particularly ahead of the Eid al-Fitr travel period.

An STO official said maintaining previous fuel rates for ferry operators was aimed at easing pressure on transport services. Meanwhile, MIFCO confirmed that fuel prices for fishermen would remain unchanged, with subsidised oil continuing under the government’s broader energy support programme.