The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has announced a new procedure to be followed by all multi-day fishing vessels that depart for fishing in the Arabian Sea and return to land at the end of their fishing activities while passing through the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte, while giving details in this regard, emphasized as follows:

“Vessels that enter the Maldivian territorial waters in violation of the laws of the Maldivian government are seized by the Maldivian security forces. The Maldivian authorities impose huge fines to release the vessels that are seized in this way, and having to pay these high fines is a huge financial loss that the vessel owners cannot afford. The Department of Fisheries has no opportunity to intervene or appear in such legal cases. Therefore, the relevant new rules must be strictly followed both when entering the Arabian Sea and when returning to land.”

Key points that fishermen must follow according to the new procedure:

At least 96 hours before entering the Maldivian territorial waters, they must fill in the prescribed application form and send it to both the email addresses compliance@fisheries.gov.mv and maldivestansitdfar@gmail.com.

It is mandatory to submit the vessel’s registration certificate, departure form, crew details, a photograph of the vessel and a rough map with entry and exit points (waypoints) along with the application.

The Director General further informs that all vessel owners and fishermen should take care to avoid financial and professional losses resulting from violation of these rules.