The 18th edition of the Infofish World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition commenced on Monday, May 20, 2024.
The Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam attended the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest, and officiated the exhibition.
While speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Shiyam revealed the vision for fisheries industry development plans under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. Shiyam highlighted ongoing government efforts to seek lucrative blue economy ventures and sectors besides traditional fishing activities.
Besides this, the minister also provided insight into state’s efforts to establish factories to process canned and pouched fish for export instead of raw fish products.
According to the minister, the fishing industry in the Maldives is recognized as one of the most sustainable fishing industries globally. He highlighted the vision to reduce dependency on conventional fuel-based means in all the stages of fisheries – from fishing to manufacturing – in favor or more energy-efficient and renewable alternatives.
The minister shared government’s vision to shift 35% of the conventional fuel in fisheries industry to renewable energy means in the next five years.
Shiyam stressed on the importance of sustainable practices in fishing activities in the Indian Ocean, and noted its positive long-term effect to Maldives which relies on fisheries as one of its primary economic activities.
The Infofish World Tuna Conference and Exhibition is scheduled from May 20 to 22, 2024.