Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Cancelling EEZ Fishing Licenses: An Election Sop?


Members of the People's Majlis have called for immediate cancellation of licenses granted to foreign companies to fish in Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Notice the emphasis on the word 'immediate," which is surprising semantics, coming as it were from a Majlis which has already completed its 5-year term apparently oblivious to the EEZ issue, and which has just woken up Rip Van Winkle style.

Will the new policy remain merely symbolic like most such populist measures? The history of investment opportunities in the Maldives reserved for locals have not been very glorious. Most such opportunities end up in foreign hands, with a local 'owner' as a front. We would sincerely hope that those who spoke so vehemently in the Majlis yesterday won't become fronts for the next generation of foreign royalty holders. Look who's talking by clicking here.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

most resorts also owned by foregin investors. so banning foreigners will not help.

Anonymous said...

it makes little difference to an ordinary person if the fish company belongs to a foregner or local. both will use net. both will take profits abraod.

Anonymous said...

may be some of the guys who are making noises are hoping they will get the licenses after sending off the foregners

Anonymous said...

cancelling the debts of all fisherman is bery bad idea. it will bankrupt loan schemes and thus block future development. It also punishes those who repaid loans faithfully.

Anonymous said...

it is interesting who are the people talking about this. what are their motives?

Anonymous said...

it isn't surprising that fishermen being a large proportion of population, cunning politicians try to take advantage by creating commotion. but what is surprising is that why have we been lead to believe that we the citizens are indebted to fishermen? in fact the fishermen owes the citizens a larger share of their catch and profit because fish is a natural resource endowed to us, and just for taking it out of the sea not only they pocket all the profit, but also expect additional subsidies from the government and the people. this thinking was created by gayoom trying to win votes of the fishermen!

Anonymous said...

To Fedup,
good thinking. We have been brain-washed by gayoom into beleiving that fisherman are doing us a favour. if resort owners are not doing us a favour why fisherman?

Anonymous said...

does anybody know how much royalty if any we got from eez?

Anonymous said...

if we don't fish in EEZ, someone else will do it. can we stop poaching?

moyameehaa said...

haha.that explains it all.looks like its more than just about elections. its a win win for them.