DTIS, Volume I - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
DTIS, Volume I - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) DTIS, Volume I - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
fish processing and canning plants in the country, one of which is run by MIFCO. In addition, MIFCO carries out some international promotion of Maldives fish exports. The Maldives Fisherman Association draws it membership from the traditional occupation. Although part of its mandate is to represent this group in the policy process, its capacity is extremely weak and its influence is marginal. The PHL is responsible for the application of sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) regulations. However capacity is limited and an up-grade is needed to establish it as an accredited SPS laboratory linked to appropriate research faculty to ensure linkages between basic and applied research. The fishery law that is currently in force dates from 1985. Together with the Regulation For Issuing The License To Fish In The Exclusive Economic Zone Of The Republic Of The Maldives. It stipulates the allowed fishing methods and zones. Further regulation is carried out through the issuing of fishing licenses through which the legal requirement that fishing must be carried out through lining and pole and line methods are conveyed. This requirement makes the Maldives high sea fishery extremely ecologically friendly. At the time the DTIS field research was carried out, MFAMR had a draft bill before the parliament that took into account modern international agreements and practices as well as standards for monitoring and enforcement. The bill encompasses all aspects of aquaculture for which there is no provision in the existing legal framework. Some parts of the bill are already being applied such as the proposed licensing system for high sea fisheries, allowed fishing methods, fees and quota systems. In addition the World Bank is undertaking preparation of a Fisheries Master Plan which, when completed by the end of 2006, will provide the main levers of fisheries policy and the key tools for regulating the sector. Current regulatory practices including application of fees and quotas are not fully transparent. The fact that statistical data on sector operations are not collected systematically (see below) also contributes to the lack of transparency. Fees are applied for reef or near shore and high sea fishing. The near shore license fee is a mere Rf 120 (approximately 9 USD) per vessel per year. The license fee for high sea fishing is based on the size of the vessel (gross registered tonnage) and the quota rights bought. Although the DTIS team requested information on the details of the license fee for high sea fishing, this was not forthcoming. There is no efficient inspection of the EEZ, although there is the perception that illegal fishing by foreign companies is practised. This is a direct loss to the economy. But on top of this, the opportunity to develop the sector on the basis of a greater variety of raw material and products is also lost. The main constraint is related to the lack of modern inspection vessels. The Coast Guard acquired the vessels that are currently in operation second-hand more than 20 years ago. The system for data collection in operation for policy design, planning, implementation, 129
monitoring and evaluation dates from 1959 with an up-grade in 1970. It is considered accurate for fishing carried out through traditional pole and line methods. But it relies on skippers or boat owners reporting daily catches to government offices or representatives on the 200 inhabited islands. This system of total enumeration of the tuna catch has been in place for over 35 years now, resulting in time series data by species, boat type, atoll and month. However, there are gaps as there is both under-reporting and systematic data is not collected on species such as yellowfin from long lining, lobster, sea cucumber etc. as found by the 2003 Country Report on Fisheries and Statistics in the Maldives sponsored by the IOTC. In practice, shortages of resources and trained personnel affect the quality, regularity and timeliness of collection and dissemination of comprehensive fishery statistics as confirmed by DTIS interviews with MFAMR, MRC and vessel owners. There is also no systematic data collection on sector employment. In addition, fish stock assessment based on up-to-date scientific methods is not carried out due to MRC’s lack of access to a research vessel. It is expected that in future, the Indian Ocean Tuna Conference (IOTC) Indian Ocean-wide tuna-tagging programme may help to provide better data. This programme is designed to assess and monitor tuna stock crossing the ocean, but results are not yet available. As a result of insufficient data, planning EEZ tuna fisheries management is at a rudimentary stage. This is a major concern as management measures and instruments have to be defined in an appropriate regulatory framework to ensure sustainable practices. As previously noted, the Draft Bill of 2001 contains the necessary elements for a modern fishery sector regulatory framework, but is yet to be enacted. There are further policy gaps. International market trends for specific commercially interesting product categories are not closely aligned with fishery policy. There is no clear policy on investment in the sector, whether local or foreign, in sharp contrast to the elaborate policy framework that is in place for the tourism sector. There are ad hoc provisions such as customs duty waivers fully or in part on vessel construction materials and engines. But there is no strategic policy approach or prioritization of value-added support measures and high value products such as: • Fish fingers, sausages and burgers based on trimmings from filleting • Ready-made meals and other consumer packs • Smoked and cured products etc. Accordingly, expansion and modernization of the fishing industry has lagged. One consequence is that post-harvest losses are substantial ranging from 15 to 25 per cent of the catch due to inadequate processing and cold storage capacity. Onboard preservation is also limited as only modern vessels have space for flake ice to preserve the catch. There are also only a few flake ice plants that are in operation. Mariculture, which is concerned with product preservation, is surprisingly underdeveloped in relation to the size and potential of the sector. This also implies that capacity to meet international quality standards is limited. 130
- Page 101 and 102: Maldives Port Authority • Respons
- Page 103 and 104: the correct amount of customs duty
- Page 105 and 106: suspense procedures, thus eliminati
- Page 107 and 108: A new domestic terminal at MIA will
- Page 109 and 110: There is need to clarify MAC’s na
- Page 111 and 112: Changes in the role and structure o
- Page 113 and 114: Significant improvements have been
- Page 115 and 116: CHAPTER 7 THE TOURISM SECTOR Chapte
- Page 117 and 118: British market in 2001. In 2004, be
- Page 119 and 120: Similarly, considerable demand was
- Page 121 and 122: for imports of support infrastructu
- Page 123 and 124: government revenues from the supply
- Page 125 and 126: number of trainees that have been t
- Page 127 and 128: established as a quality tourism de
- Page 129 and 130: Maldives' unspoiled marine environm
- Page 131 and 132: The Faculty works very closely with
- Page 133 and 134: TOURISM ACT A key objective of the
- Page 135 and 136: HRD studies and conduct of necessar
- Page 137 and 138: D. ESTABLISH AN ENABLING BUSINESS E
- Page 139 and 140: Main Recommendation No. 5: review a
- Page 141 and 142: Main Recommendation No. 6: Scale-up
- Page 143 and 144: CHAPTER 8 FISHERY SECTOR Chapter Pl
- Page 145 and 146: processing under-performing more th
- Page 147 and 148: per cent - see Table 8.4. The secto
- Page 149 and 150: In the light of these market trends
- Page 151: documentation, and administration.
- Page 155 and 156: and catering industry chefs demand
- Page 157 and 158: It is expected that the trial fishe
- Page 159 and 160: • Can seaming and retorting; •
monitoring and evaluation dates from 1959 with an up-grade in 1970. It is considered<br />
accurate for fishing carried out through traditional pole and line methods. But it relies on<br />
skippers or boat owners reporting daily catches to government offices or representatives<br />
on the 200 inhabited islands. This system of total enumeration of the tuna catch has been<br />
in place for over 35 years now, resulting in time series data by species, boat type, atoll<br />
and month. However, there are gaps as there is both under-reporting and systematic data<br />
is not collected on species such as yellowfin from long lining, lobster, sea cucumber etc.<br />
as found by the 2003 Country Report on Fisheries and Statistics in the Maldives<br />
sponsored by the IOTC. In practice, shortages of resources and trained personnel affect<br />
the quality, regularity and timeliness of collection and dissemination of comprehensive<br />
fishery statistics as confirmed by <strong>DTIS</strong> interviews with MFAMR, MRC and vessel<br />
owners. There is also no systematic data collection on sector employment.<br />
In addition, fish stock assessment based on up-to-date scientific methods is not carried<br />
out due to MRC’s lack of access to a research vessel. It is expected that in future, the<br />
Indian Ocean Tuna Conference (IOTC) Indian Ocean-wide tuna-tagging programme may<br />
help to provide better data. This programme is designed to assess and monitor tuna stock<br />
crossing the ocean, but results are not yet available. As a result of insufficient data,<br />
planning EEZ tuna fisheries management is at a rudimentary stage. This is a major<br />
concern as management measures and instruments have to be defined in an appropriate<br />
regulatory framework to ensure sustainable practices. As previously noted, the Draft Bill<br />
of 2001 contains the necessary elements for a modern fishery sector regulatory<br />
framework, but is yet to be enacted.<br />
There are further policy gaps. International market trends for specific commercially<br />
interesting product categories are not closely aligned with fishery policy. There is no<br />
clear policy on investment in the sector, whether local or foreign, in sharp contrast to the<br />
elaborate policy framework that is in place for the tourism sector. There are ad hoc<br />
provisions such as customs duty waivers fully or in part on vessel construction materials<br />
and engines. But there is no strategic policy approach or prioritization of value-added<br />
support measures and high value products such as:<br />
• Fish fingers, sausages and burgers based on trimmings from filleting<br />
• Ready-made meals and other consumer packs<br />
• Smoked and cured products etc.<br />
Accordingly, expansion and modernization of the fishing industry has lagged. One<br />
consequence is that post-harvest losses are substantial ranging from 15 to 25 per cent of<br />
the catch due to inadequate processing and cold storage capacity. Onboard preservation<br />
is also limited as only modern vessels have space for flake ice to preserve the catch.<br />
There are also only a few flake ice plants that are in operation. Mariculture, which is<br />
concerned with product preservation, is surprisingly underdeveloped in relation to the<br />
size and potential of the sector. This also implies that capacity to meet international<br />
quality standards is limited.<br />
130
Change language