President Mohamed Muizzu has blamed the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration for the decline in the number of local fishermen.
Speaking on "The Pulse" program, Muizzu claimed that the decline in the fishing workforce was caused by the previous government hiring a large number of youth into state-owned enterprises (SOEs), particularly Fenaka Corporation.
"I believe this situation arose because, during the last administration, youth working in the islands—especially those active in the fishing industry—were recruited into government companies, mainly Fenaka," he said.
"It is an easy source of income. If one can earn a decent salary while staying at home on their island, it is a very attractive option to choose. So during the previous government, thousands of people were brought into Fenaka."
Muizzu further noted that the previous administration's actions had damaged the fisheries sector, leading some boat owners to sell their vessels due to a lack of crew.
However, he claimed that his administration is working to resolve these issues. He explained that by streamlining SOEs to appropriate staffing levels and dismissing excess employees, the economy would ultimately benefit.
Since the current administration took office, thousands of employees have been hired across various government agencies and SOEs, including many former fishermen. However, following a downturn in the state's financial situation, the government has now begun a process of downsizing staff.
Muizzu added that a special survey will be conducted within the next two months to address the decreasing number of active participants in the fisheries sector.
