Over 300 Vessels Registered in Maldives National Fishermen’s Register

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has announced that over 300 vessels have now been registered in the National Register of Fishermen.

The National Register of Fishermen is designed to formally recognise fishermen involved in verified, income-generating activities, aiming to equate their profession with other established occupations. One of its primary goals is to ensure that those recognised as professional fishermen are engaged in legitimate economic work.

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Launched by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu as part of his campaign pledges, the National Register opened to the public on 16 February. Ministry representatives have been visiting islands across the country to inform local fishermen about the registration process. So far, a total of 305 vessels have been registered.

This registry is intended to help the Maldives retain more economic benefits from its fishing industry by reducing dependence on foreign actors. The Ministry also plans to support access to information on reef fisheries, recreational fishing, and sports fishing, in alignment with government initiatives.