Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) has stated that the elimination of tariffs previously levied on yellowfin tuna products imported from the Maldives to the United Kingdom will bring significant progress to the fisheries sector.

Various administrations have been working for approximately 12 years to eliminate tariffs on fish exported from the Maldives to the UK. The UK announced yesterday that it has officially abolished these tariffs on Maldivian yellowfin tuna products.

Speaking on the state media's "Raajje Miadhu" program last night, Mundhu stated that the Maldives ranks ninth in the UK's sustainable pole-and-line fisheries market, and that there are 17,000 families in the Maldives who depend on this industry.

"This is a major advancement for the fisheries industry. Export revenue will increase, and the trade imbalance between imports and exports will be reduced. The fisheries sector will reap immense benefits. If a fair price is secured with more market participants entering, wages are paid regularly, and markets open up, it is obvious that more youth in the Maldives will choose fishing as a career," Mundhu said."We are currently positioned as the ninth largest exporter. The assurance here is that our businessmen are highly capable, and along with state-owned enterprises, export volumes to the UK will increase very rapidly. There is a large, highly specialized market in the UK for skipjack tuna products as well, particularly for pouch tuna and canned tuna."

Mundhu noted that the benefits of this development will extend to exporters, vessel owners, and fishing families. He also highlighted that when the Maldives exports fish caught using its traditional methods to countries like the UK—where up to 40% of market demand relies on sustainable seafood products—the advantages and profitability multiply.

"If it becomes an industry that provides a very good income, is sustainable, and is something to be proud of, then naturally more people will join it. The Maldives, including the private sector, will see major progress," Mundhu added.The leading nations in tuna fisheries globally include the Maldives, Indonesia, Japan, Ecuador, Spain, and South Africa.

"Global standards are currently being established in the seafood industry. The freshness of Maldivian fish and our traditional, sustainable practices are now considered the gold standard in global fisheries—something not just anyone can replicate. When conscious consumers see a can of our tuna, they truly recognize and appreciate it," Mundhu stated.

Additionally, Mundhu mentioned that the number of youth joining the fishing industry is on the rise, noting that this positive trend is driven by the fact that payments rightfully owed to fishermen are now being credited directly to their accounts within 48 hours.