The inaugural International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) Award has been presented to Dr Mohamed Shainee, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture for the Maldives.
The new awards identify partners who have shown commitment to the development of sustainable one-by-one fisheries, including those people and organisations that aim to promote and support the advancement of pole-and-line and handline fisheries globally.
John Burton, chairman of IPNLF, said: “The award given to Dr Mohamed Shainee recognises the Ministry’s inspirational leadership in tuna sustainability. Since his inauguration, the Minister has been influential in the progression of one-by-one fishery projects in the Maldives, such as the development of the first nationally recognised fishers’ curriculum this year.”
“Alongside the Ministry, he also gave invaluable support to the recent Marine Stewardship Council accreditation of the yellowfin pole-and-line fishery; a process that is proving instrumental in ensuring international markets recognise the Maldivian fishery for its responsible practices,” he added.
In addition, Dr Shainee was recognised for his efforts in encouraging fishery improvements beyond the Maldives’ own borders, in particular, encouraging the Indonesian tuna Fishery Improvement Project (FIP). Earlier this year, the Minister suggested the two countries that together account for around 30% of the tuna caught in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), share learning across Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) to progress the pole-and-line and handline sector internationally.
Accepting the award, Minister Shainee said: “We have successfully built our fisheries industry on three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic and social; as such, we believe it is vital we collaborate and share our experiences with others to help guide the long-term viability of one-by-one fisheries everywhere.”
