Minister Ahmed Shiyam addressed the Ministerial and Industry High-Level Dialogue on Sustainable Tuna Fisheries at the Infofish World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition

Minister Ahmed Shiyam speaks at  Ministerial and Industry High-Level Dialogue on Sustainable Tuna Fisheries - Infofish World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition.

Minister Ahmed Shiyam participated in the Ministerial and Industry High-Level Dialogue on Sustainable Tuna Fisheries on the sidelines of the Infofish World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition.

The minister spoke about the importance of breaking down barriers to market access for tuna products from developing countries, particularly for small-scale fisheries. Minister noted, "Maldives and other developing states have to compete with large industrial fleets, and we are failing miserably. It is high time that we join hands and work collaboratively to create a level playing field, ensuring equitable opportunities for all stakeholders in the global tuna trade."

The minister also highlighted the impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, particularly from foreign fishing fleets. Minister said, "This notorious practice undermines the livelihoods of countless fishers and coastal communities. It also undermines the efforts of responsible fishers, particularly in coastal states like the Maldives, where we have made several sacrifices to ensure that the sustainable culture of fishing is maintained through

generations." Minister Ahmed Shiyam, also noted the government's ongoing activities to strengthen more, ring, and surveillance and tighten the fisheries framework to combat IUU fishing.

Ministers and high-ranking representatives from the significant tuna-producing and exporting tuna nations, the industry, and international organizations participated in the dialogue.