The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has officially opened nominations for three specialised awards designed to recognise excellence and dedication within the nation's vital maritime sector.
The announcement comes in anticipation of the annual Fishermen’s Day celebrations, scheduled for 10 December. The awards seek to appreciate individuals working in the Maldivian fisheries industry and are open to those currently practicing in the field.
The three coveted accolades include the Young Skipper Award, which is open to sailors under the age of 35; the Veteran Skipper Award, reserved for those over 35; and the Reef Fishermen Award, designed for fishermen whose main source of income is derived directly from reef fishing activities.
Nominations for these prestigious honours can be submitted by individuals working within the industry or by third parties.
Prospective applicants and nominators are required to submit their forms no later than 2:00 on 23 October with the required application forms available for download on the official Ministry website.
The initiative underlines the government's commitment to developing and modernising the fishing industry, a goal supported by parallel efforts to enhance operational infrastructure through the expansion of regional ice-making and fish cooling systems, the provision of subsidised fuel, and assistance for fishing vessels to acquire modern equipment, ultimately aimed at increasing both local fish production and export capacity.