On June 12, the IUF-affiliated Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union [BKMU], the Yellowfin Tuna Fishers Union organized a landmark protest demanding fair price for tuna catch and calling on the government to stop licensing longline fishing. 38 tuna boats with more than 570 fishers joined at the sea to exercise their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
As the protest grew and more boats joined, the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources of Maldives had to come to the coast to address the protesting fishers and to start negotiation on the demands of BKMU members. After negotiations, the government agreed to stop licensing of longline fishing until effective consultation with the union. Furthermore, the government agreed to reduce fuel cost immediately and started negotiation on fixing fair price for tuna catch.
BKMU members engage in handline fishing of yellowfin tuna to ensure sustainable catch, avoiding over-fishing and preserving the ocean ecosystem. However the government proposed introducing commercial longline fishing licenses, a move that would benefit large tuna companies but threaten the ocean ecosystem and livelihoods of fishers.
“Stop discussions to start longline fishing and I urge government to fulfill the promises to fisherman’s as it is in their manifesto” Hussain Nasheed, BKMU President