Fisheries Ministry says fishing vessels that illegally employ expatriate workers will face a fine of MVR 5000.
In its new regulation on fishing in the Maldives, the Ministry said that expatriate workers can only be employed on fishing vessels with appropriate permits and those vessels that forgo the permit must per a fine of MVR 5000 for each expatriate it employs illegally.
The regulation also states that expatriates would be allowed to work on fishing vessels as per the guidelines set by the relevant authorities and once a work permit is issued for employment on a specific vessel.
The Ministry had stipulated other fines in its regulation including a fine of MVR 5000 for those who dive without a valid diver’s permit. If a person’s life is put in danger because of such an action, the Ministry also holds the power to request for a criminal investigation and fine the person responsible by an amount of MVR 100,000.
The regulations also called for heavy fines against those who use nets for commercial fishing as well as use explosives and poisons for fishing in Maldivians seas.
Although the new regulations have now been published in the Government Gazette, they were first scheduled for publication last September.
Citing the delay, Speaker of the Parliament and former President Mohamed Nasheed had indirectly indicated that Fisheries Minister Zaha Waheed was failing in her responsibilities.
