Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has said that MVR 100 million will be released from the government's dues after the purchase of fish from fishermen by Monday.

Fishermen have been protesting since Sunday, shutting down operations in MIFCO's fisheries complex in GA. Kooddoo. Fishermen in Addu have also shut down the fisheries complex in Addu Hulhumeedhoo as well.

While Shiyam met the fishermen directly to resolve the issue, he told One today that MVR 70 million would be released to the fishermen today and tomorrow and another MVR 30 million would be released by Sunday next week.

"This amount is managed by some of the funds available to MIFCO as well as the subsidy finance provided by the state," Shiyam said when asked if the money released to fishermen would provide a financing facility.

Replying to lawmakers in parliament yesterday, Shiyam said that at present, MVR 280 million is due to the fishermen, of which MVR 100 million is being paid by Monday.

Efforts are on to clear the remaining MVR 180 million before 5 March, he said.