The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has paid USD 733,000 to fishermen for fish purchased during June.
According to MIFCO statistics, 517 fishing vessels, including skipjack and yellowfin tuna boats, supplied fish to the company during the month. MIFCO purchased a total of 568 tonnes of fish in June.
Skipjack tuna accounted for the bulk for the catch. The company bought 484.4 tonnes of skipjack from 196 vessels and paid USD 604,858 for the supply.
Yellowfin tuna deliveries came from two grades. A total of 109 vessels supplied yellowfin weighing more than 10 kilograms and received USD 21,494. Another 212 vessels delivered yellowfin weighing more than 15 kilograms and were paid USD 108,564.
Paying fishermen within 48 hours of delivery remains a key policy of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. The government has also prioritized fair prices for the catch and continues to strengthen and streamline payment arrangements.
As part of these efforts, MIFCO raised its purchase price to USD 1.30 per kilogram. The company currently buys 10-kilogram and 15-kilogram grade tuna at USD 1.30 per kilogram, while tuna weighing more than 15 kilograms fetches USD 1.62 per kilogram.