A special panel discussion was held in Barcelona during the Global Seafood Marketplace 2026 to promote the Maldivian fisheries sector.
The panel took place as part of the three-day international event, which brought together participants from numerous countries in addition to the Maldives. Representing the Maldives were the Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, along with several companies active in the fisheries industry.
These included the Maldives Fisheries and Ocean Resources Marketing and Promotion Corporation (MFMC), Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), Horizon Fisheries Pvt Ltd, Ensis Fisheries Pvt Ltd, Blue Solutions Pvt Ltd, and Big Fish Maldives Pvt Ltd.
As part of the event, the Maldives hosted a dedicated panel discussion titled “From Maldives to the World.” The session featured Minister Ahmed Shiyam, Josh Madeira from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Athif Shakoor, a strategic consultant for MIFCO. The discussion highlighted key challenges and opportunities within the Maldivian fisheries sector. It also explored sustainable fishing practices, strategies for entering global markets, and ways to increase value addition in the industry.
According to the Fisheries Ministry, the panel was organised to showcase and promote the Maldives’ fisheries sector following a special sustainability rating awarded to Maldivian tuna fisheries by Seafood Watch.
This marks the first time in the programme’s history that a specific country’s tuna fishery has received such a designation. It represents a significant milestone for the Maldives and its recognition on the global stage for sustainable fishing practices.
Under the latest ratings published by Seafood Watch, the Maldives’ tuna fishery has been classified as a sustainable fishery and awarded the top “Best Choice” rating. While there are sustainability concerns in certain parts of the Indian Ocean, Maldivian tuna products across the region have been recommended as a preferred option for buyers in global seafood markets.