News Desk
Fishermen’s Day is one of the Maldives’ most symbolic national holidays, observed every year on December 10. The celebrations are rotated among different islands, a way of honouring the communities whose lives are bound to the sea. Fishing has long been the backbone of the Maldivian economy and culture, and the day serves both as a tribute to the country’s fishermen and as a reminder of their central role in shaping the nation’s identity. This year, the spotlight fell on Dhuvaafaru in Raa Atoll, where President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu tied the commemorations to a broader push for development and reform in the industry.
“The fishing industry is truly the lifeblood of the people,” President Muizzu declared on Saturday night, speaking at the 45th Fishermen’s Day celebrations in Dhuvaafaru, North Maalhosmadulu Atoll.
He reminded the crowd that fisheries are not just an economic activity but part of the nation’s identity. “It is linked to the personality and nationality of the people,” he said, outlining six policy areas where his government is working to sustain and expand the sector.
Starting tomorrow, the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Corporation (MIFCO) will raise purchase prices, buying fish at the highest rate for catches weighing one kilogram and above, instead of the current six‑kilogram threshold. MIFCO will also begin selling oil to fishermen at a discounted rate.
President Muizzu announced new loans to help 200 fishermen install Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) systems, cooling tanks that preserve fish in chilled seawater immediately after landing. He said the technology is central to improving quality, reducing spoilage, and raising the value of the catch.
On Fishermen’s Day, President Muizzu Unveils MVR 666 Million in Projects for Dhuvaafaru
To expand their use, the government has reopened loan schemes for 200 fishermen, offering financing between MVR 100,000 and MVR 2 million with repayment terms of up to ten years and a six‑month grace period. The program also supports solar systems and energy‑efficient generators, part of a broader push to modernize and sustain the industry.
Processing plants are being prepared in different regions, he said, while fuel skids are scheduled to be installed at speed, with completion targeted for March next year.
The president acknowledged the fishermen’s biggest concern: the purchase price of fish. He promised to address it with long‑term planning, ensuring MIFCO can buy larger fish sustainably. He pointed to progress at the Hulhumale’ facility as evidence that such purchases could begin soon.
President Muizzu also spoke of his vision for the industry to be staffed entirely by Maldivians. He praised those who recruit Maldivian youth and maintain all‑Maldivian crews on their boats.
The president said the past two years of reforms are already visible in statistics. He described the revival of the fishing industry as a national effort, urging unity and warning against being swept away by what he called anti‑national politics.
Dhuvaafaru, located in Raa Atoll, is home to roughly 5,000 people. The island was resettled after the 2004 tsunami, when survivors from Kandholhudhoo were relocated here. The nearest airport is Ifuru Airport, about 187 km from Malé, with domestic flights taking around 50 minutes.
