MSC pre-assessment made available

Participants confirmed

Workplan made available

The FIP has undertaken various initiatives to improve the livebait fishery in the Maldives, focusing on advancements in bait tank technology, livebait handling methods, and awareness programs for fishers; there have been modifications to bait tanks, the introduction of wet scooping, mapping livebait fishing grounds, and the trial of livebait trap cages with the potential for transforming the fishery.

A review of reporting and monitoring of interactions with ETP species in the fishery has been made available; the report notes that low levels of interactions have been observed over the last several years. 

The Ministry is collaborating with JICA to implement resource-efficient methods in the live bait fishery. The project focuses on enhancing the onboard live bait stocking system, providing fishers with baitfish handling training, and promoting the use of improved facilities and equipment for the harvest, transfer, and stock of live bait.

The Maldives participated in the IOTC FAD Working Group. At the meeting, Maldives representatives advocated for better management of DFADs to reduce catch of juvenile yellowfin tuna. 

The FIP attended the 27th annual session of the IOTC; the Commission following the request of Maldives has endorsed a data support mission to Oman which would assist in understanding the increased catches of Oman in recent years.

A revised PSA for the Maldives handline livebait fishery has been made available

Efforts on effective logbook implementation remain ongoing

FIP participants attended the IOTC Working Party on Tropical Tuna (WPTT) to discuss the need for streamlining the IOTC process on harvest strategies.

A draft PSA report has been made available 

G16 Coastal State Meeting was conducted and attended by FIP members. At the meeting participants discussed and developed a draft FAD management proposal

The Maldives government released a press statement expressing their dissapointment that the 26th session of the IOTC concluded without agreeing on outcomes for the sustainable management of yellowfin tuna.

The 26th session of the IOTC meeting was held; meeting participants discussed a management and rebuilding plan for yellowfin tuna. A management plan implementation outline has been made available. 

The Maldives submitted a proposal on rebuilding yellowfin tuna at the IOTC 26th Session but this was withdrawn and not adopted.

Observation trip conducted in the Maldvies after the inception of the FIP in early 2021; Report on sampling summary from trip made available. 

A stakeholder meeting was held and an RBF (PSA) assessment was conducted for the livebait fishery; the livebait management strategy was discussed. 

Increase to PI 2.2.3 & 2.3.3; An analysis has been produced on the Ministry's (2020-2021) logbook handline livebait data along with IPLNF's observer data. The data demonstrates that minimal interactions with ETP species have occured and adequate information is available to assess the impact of the UoA on the main secondary species.