Former President Mohamed Nasheed has spoken up against longline fishing because it will "damage Maldives tourism and pole and line tuna brands."
In a post on X, Nasheed said longline fishing causes huge bycatch of rays, dolphins, seabirds and sharks.
"It will damage Maldives tourism and pole and line tuna brands, which are based on sustainability," he wrote.
The Cabinet decided to allow longline fishing for yellowfin tuna in Maldives. The Fisheries Ministry has drafted a regulation for the purpose.
The Maldives Ocean Alliance and the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union have launched an online petition with 12,000 signatures against the decision.
Studies have shown that longlines can unintentionally catch vulnerable species. In 2022, 740,000 kilometers longlines were unintentionally released.
Maldivian fishermen do not support permitting longline fisheries in the country. Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union, Transparency Maldives and the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations have issued statements against the decision.
However, the government has not yet decided to change its decision.
