New Regulations to Reopen Long Line Fishery and Allow Shark Bycatch Face Opposition

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has proposed new regulations to reopen the Maldives’ longline fishery and permit the bycatch of sharks, sparking opposition from conservation NGOs and local fisher unions.

Longline fishing licenses have been suspended since 2019 due to concerns over illegal activities, vessel non-compliance and irregularities in data reporting.

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The proposed 36-page regulations outline provisions for issuing vessel permits, selling quotas, employing migrant workers, and managing the bycatch of sharks and other protected species.

Under the new rules, longline permits would be issued to vessels registered in the Maldives and flying the Maldivian flag, targeting Bigeye tuna, Yellowfin tuna, and Billfish species. However, the regulations also allow sharks caught as bycatch to be processed in licensed facilities.

Conservationists argue that reopening the fishery poses significant risks to fish stocks, vulnerable species, and the livelihoods of local fishers. The Maldives Ocean Alliance (MOA), a coalition of marine conservation NGOs, has written an open letter to the government, urging support for traditional one-by-one fishing methods instead of the commercial longline approach.

MOA has partnered with the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU), representing yellowfin tuna fishers who use one-by-one fishing methods, to launch a campaign against longline fishing. An online petition calling on the government to reconsider has garnered over 9,700 signatures.

The Proposed Regulations

In response to mounting pressure, the Ministry of Fisheries defended its stance, stating that reopening the fishery would “diversify the economy and maximize benefits from ocean resources.”

The draft regulations require vessels to carry the Maldivian flag and be registered in the country to obtain longline fishing permits. Vessels must also purchase fishing quotas, install Vessel Locating Devices (VLD) and Electronic Monitoring Systems, and obtain various permits.

Licenses would be issued for one year at a time, with a fee of MVR 10,000. Fish quotas would be sold in blocks of 10 metric tonnes, each worth MVR 20,000. The cost would be halved if vessels commit to employing Maldivians as 80% of the crew.

Until 2028, vessels may employ up to 70% semi-skilled or unskilled migrant workers, with requirements for Maldivian crew increasing to 50% by 2028 and 80% by 2031. Foreign nationals can be employed as captains, masters, or engineers.

The Ministry emphasized that managing bycatch, including sharks, is a “critical component” of the new regulations. While targeting sharks in longline fishing remains illegal, vessels are permitted to land and process sharks caught as bycatch at licensed facilities, with provisions for licensing these facilities and exporting the bycatch.

The regulations also ban wire traces, regulate line depths, and require the release of live sharks with minimal harm. Vessels are encouraged to adopt at least two measures from the regulation to minimize bycatch of other vulnerable species, such as seabirds and sea turtles.

Public consultation on the proposed regulations is open until 18 August 2024, with the government inviting feedback via email at fisheriesmanagement@fisheries.gov.mv.

Ongoing Concerns

Longline fishing, which uses baited hooks on long lines, is a more productive method for catching large quantities of tuna but results in higher bycatch of untargeted species, including sharks, turtles, and seabirds.

Licensing for longline fishing was halted in 2019 due to concerns over illegal activities, such as human trafficking and the illegal transfer of catch between boats—a practice banned in the Indian Ocean.

At the time, the European Union Maritime Affairs and Fisheries delegation warned that the situation could lead to a complete ban on Maldivian fish exports.

Longline vessels have also been criticized for employing mostly foreign workers and benefiting foreign entities rather than Maldivians.

However, the Fisheries Ministry asserts that it has taken past experiences and advice from other longlining states into account, incorporating provisions to ensure that the fishery benefits Maldivians and adheres to global sustainability standards and best practices.