The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reported that the fisheries production of the Philippines is projected to increase by 12 percent, reaching almost 2.9 million metric tons (MT) by 2032, driven by the growth in aquaculture. This significant increase in production may enable the Philippines to maintain its position among the top five largest fish producers in Asia.

Source: The Philippine Star

Maldives Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts to create a level playing field, ensuring equitable opportunities for all stakeholders in the global tuna trade. He made this statement at the  18^th INFOFISH World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition, which was held alongside the Ministerial and Industry High-Level Dialogue on Sustainable Tuna Fisheries in Bangkok, Thailand.

Speaking about the importance of breaking down barriers to market access for tuna products from developing countries, particularly for small-scale fisheries, the Minister noted that the Maldives and other developing states struggle to compete with large industrial fleets and are facing significant challenges.

“It is high time that we join hands and work collaboratively to create a level playing field, ensuring equitable opportunities for all stakeholders in the global tuna trade,” he said.

According to the Fisheries Ministry, the Minister also highlighted the impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, particularly by foreign fishing fleets. “This notorious practice undermines the livelihoods of countless fishers and coastal communities. It also undermines the efforts of responsible fishers, particularly in coastal states like the Maldives, where we have made several sacrifices to ensure that the sustainable culture of fishing is maintained through generations,” he said.

 The Minister also spoke about the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen surveillance and tighten the fisheries framework to combat IUU fishing. Ministers and high-ranking representatives from significant tuna-producing and exporting nations, industry stakeholders, and international organizations participated in the dialogue.

Source: FIS

The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) is committed to empowering fishing communities through various fish marketing projects nationwide. Its chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said these projects are being implemented in both rural and urban areas, including the Klang Valley, to boost fishermen's income. 

He said these initiatives include establishing LKIM fish collection and distribution centres (CCDC) to help fisheries entrepreneurs market their products. “We also set up fishermen's markets near the coast as these allow direct sales from the sea [fishermen] to the consumers, meaning there are no middlemen, making it cheaper," he said after officiating at the 2024 Symposium on Sustainable Fish Marketing Projects, organised by the Fishermen's Association and LKIM's Fishermen's Market Entrepreneurs here on 14 May, 2024.

Elaborating, he said LKIM plans to launch the 'Mobile Fish Truck' (Mofit) project this year, focusing on the Klang Valley to tackle high fish prices in urban areas, an initiative to help the government reduce the public's burden by offering more affordable prices. 

“LKIM is also strengthening the supply chain to support the national fisheries industry, having sold nine million tonnes of fish worth RM54 million last year and expecting a 10% increase this year,” he said.

He assured that the fish supply would be sufficient during the upcoming monsoon season as LKIM has a stock of 105 tonnes of fish supply, including 1,500 MT from private sources, as a reserve in case of supply shortages.

Source: The Edge Malaysia