TUNA FISHING IN MALDIVES ONE BY ONE / pole and line

Описание: Skipjack tuna fishing in the Maldives, primarily using the traditional and mechanized pole-and-line method, is a cornerstone of the Maldivian economy and local food security. This sustainable, selective fishery involves using live baitfish to lure tuna schools to the surface, capturing them one-by-one with specialized gear to minimize bycatch. The fishery has historically been a leading source of income and protein for the Maldivian people, though it has faced challenges including declining catches and increasing operating costs.
The Method
Pole-and-Line:
The primary technique used is a mechanized pole-and-line method, where skilled fishers use specialized poles to catch tuna one at a time.
Live Bait:
The process involves using live baitfish, such as anchovies or sardines, to attract the skipjack tuna to the surface of the ocean.
Attracting Tuna:
To entice a feeding frenzy, fishers use water sprays and scatter handfuls of baitfish into the sea.
Baitfish Sustainability:
The fishery has had to manage the use of baitfish, ensuring their populations are sustainably harvested to maintain the certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
Economic and Cultural Significance
Economic Lifeline:
The pole-and-line skipjack fishery has been a lifeline for the Maldivian economy, especially before the growth of the tourism industry.
Local Protein Source:
It provides a critical protein source for the local population and contributes to a stable livelihood for Maldivian people.
Artisanal and Local Ownership:
Industrial fishing vessels are prohibited, and the fishery relies on artisanal boats (dhonis) owned by island communities.
Sustainability and Challenges
Selective Fishing:
The method is highly selective and minimizes bycatch, making it one of the most sustainable fishing practices globally.
MSC Certification:
The Maldives' sustainable tuna fishery has earned the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, recognizing its strong sustainability credentials.
Declining Catches:
The fishery experienced significant declines in catches after reaching a peak in 2006, with factors such as unfavorable environmental conditions and increased fishing pressure in the wider Western Indian Ocean being potential causes.
Socioeconomic Pressures:
Factors like increasing oil prices have added to the economic burden for fishermen.
Collaborative Efforts:
Recognizing that tuna are migratory, the Maldives is working with other fishing nations to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the tuna stock in the region