Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Marine Resources has revealed fishermen received USD 35 million in August.
The government has stated the number of fish catch is expected to be higher this year. As such, Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has purchased more fish as of August this year than in the same period in 2019 and 2020.
The statistics show MIFCO has purchased 35,203 metric tonnes and made payments totalling USD 35 million to fishermen so far this year. In comparison, the fisheries company had purchased 49,392 metric tonnes and made payments totalling USD 57 million in 2020, and purchased 48,495 metric tonnes and made payments totalling USD 59 million in 2019.
Additionally, the statistics for this year show MIFCO purchased the most fish in April, which was 6,490 metric tonnes. It also shows more fish were purchased in the months of 2021 compared to last year, except for March and July.
The fisheries ministry stated it is focused on establishing mechanisms by which fishermen can quickly receive payment for their catch, or within a week at most. In this regard, the ministry stated fishermen have been receiving payment at least once a week since September last year.
The ministry has also begun making online payments to eliminate the difficulties faced by fishermen having to travel to receive their payments.