THE MALDIVIAN TUNA FISHERY

ABSTRACT The Republic of Maldives has a major pole and line tuna fishery. The main catch is skipjack tuna (115,300 t in 2002), but significant quantities of yellowfin tuna (21,700 t in 2002) are caught as well. Some juvenile bigeye tuna is also taken, but it is not distinguished from yellowfin in the national statistics; estimated catches over the past decade have been of the order of 500-1200t. During the last few years the average size and fishing power of local pole and line vessels has increased significantly. This has contributed to a major recent increase in tuna catches and catch rates. Analysis of skipjack tagging data has allowed new estimates of skipjack growth and movements. Information on the livebait fishery, interactions with sharks, and socio-economic issues is summarized. 1. INTRODUCTION The Republic of Maldives has traditionally been a tuna fishing nation. Tuna fishing in the Maldives probably started more than 1000 years ago. Until the 1970s the tuna fishery was the mainstay of the Maldivian economy, providing the major source employment, food and export earnings. The relative importance of the fisheries sector has declined since then, however, due largely to the spectacular growth of the tourism industry. The fisheries sector’s contribution to GDP declined from about 30% in the 1970s to less than 10% in 1997-2000. The largest and most important component of the Maldivian tuna fishery is the livebait pole-and-line (