SUB REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT DIMENSIONS IN THE FOOD AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES IN SOUTH ASIA PREPARED BY: HUZAIFA MOHAMED MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND WATER AHMED MIGDHAD MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE

Introduction The Maldives is a low-lying archipelago consisting of approximately 1,190 islands, located in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka. It has exclusive economic rights over some 859,000 km of sea surrounding the islands but its land mass is limited to only 300 km and is widely scattered over an 850 km north-south fairly narrow stretch. The Maldives is a low-lying archipelago consisting of approximately 1,190 islands, located in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka. It has exclusive economic rights over some 859,000 km of sea surrounding the islands but its land mass is limited to only 300 km and is widely scattered over an 850 km north-south fairly narrow stretch.

Its population of around 300,000 people inhabits about 200 islands, dispersed in 26 geographical atolls, and organized in 20 regional administrative units. One third of the inhabited islands have a population of less than 500, the rest have a population of less than 1,000. This exceptionally wide dispersion of its people makes the Maldives unique, even among other countries that are archipelagos. Its population of around 300,000 people inhabits about 200 islands, dispersed in 26 geographical atolls, and organized in 20 regional administrative units. One third of the inhabited islands have a population of less than 500, the rest have a population of less than 1,000. This exceptionally wide dispersion of its people makes the Maldives unique, even among other countries that are archipelagos.

The surrounding sea contains enormous fishery resources. The islands are also an attractive tourist destination given their sandy white beaches and clear lagoons, bringing more than 600,000 tourist arrivals in The main natural endowments are thus associated with the marine environment. However, the meagre landmass is a causal factor limiting economic opportunities and market development and the country’s geographical features incur high transport costs, thus putting pressure on the competitiveness of the economy. The surrounding sea contains enormous fishery resources. The islands are also an attractive tourist destination given their sandy white beaches and clear lagoons, bringing more than 600,000 tourist arrivals in The main natural endowments are thus associated with the marine environment. However, the meagre landmass is a causal factor limiting economic opportunities and market development and the country’s geographical features incur high transport costs, thus putting pressure on the competitiveness of the economy.

Fisheries Sector The main food and food processing industry of the Maldives is related to fish and other marine products, with an EEZ of 960,000 square kilometer – makes marine recourses the most vital natural assets of the county The main food and food processing industry of the Maldives is related to fish and other marine products, with an EEZ of 960,000 square kilometer – makes marine recourses the most vital natural assets of the county Fishing sector contribution to GDP in 2004 was Rf 506 million, a growth of 52% since 1995: but compare to other sectors it declined (transport & communication grew by 145%, government administration by 162% and tourism by 82%) Fishing sector contribution to GDP in 2004 was Rf 506 million, a growth of 52% since 1995: but compare to other sectors it declined (transport & communication grew by 145%, government administration by 162% and tourism by 82%)

Fisheries are the vital sector of the Maldivian economy, employing 25 percent of the work force and accounting for over 60 percent of exports. Fisheries are the vital sector of the Maldivian economy, employing 25 percent of the work force and accounting for over 60 percent of exports.

Over the past two decades, the Maldives have successfully developed the assets of its marine environment. As a result of its abundant aquatic resources, the Maldives' fishing industry has been transformed from a predominantly cottage industry to a modern industry able to compete effectively in the world markets through mechanization of traditional fishing boats and provision of fish processing infrastructure. Over the past two decades, the Maldives have successfully developed the assets of its marine environment. As a result of its abundant aquatic resources, the Maldives' fishing industry has been transformed from a predominantly cottage industry to a modern industry able to compete effectively in the world markets through mechanization of traditional fishing boats and provision of fish processing infrastructure. The catch is turned into a range of products (live fish, fresh on ice, frozen, dried, canned, salted and steamed) that are consumed domestically or exported (76%). Exports of fish products make up 99.5% of all exports; in value terms tuna products constitute 86%. The catch is turned into a range of products (live fish, fresh on ice, frozen, dried, canned, salted and steamed) that are consumed domestically or exported (76%). Exports of fish products make up 99.5% of all exports; in value terms tuna products constitute 86%.

Tuna production in the Maldives is not environmentally destructive, since the artisanal pole-and-line method of fishing is highly selective and "dolphin friendly". The Maldives' coastal and reef fisheries have been the population's principal source of livelihood, providing employment and much of the country's food through commercial, artisanal and subsistence fishing. Tuna production in the Maldives is not environmentally destructive, since the artisanal pole-and-line method of fishing is highly selective and "dolphin friendly". The Maldives' coastal and reef fisheries have been the population's principal source of livelihood, providing employment and much of the country's food through commercial, artisanal and subsistence fishing. Today, over one-quarter of the local labour force is involved in the fishing industry and more are employed in down-stream processing activities that prepare processed fish for the export market. Today, over one-quarter of the local labour force is involved in the fishing industry and more are employed in down-stream processing activities that prepare processed fish for the export market.

There are seven factories that are involved in processing of fish products mainly yellow fin tuna and skip jack tuna and five more are forthcoming. The export of their products is largely targeted to European Union. There are seven factories that are involved in processing of fish products mainly yellow fin tuna and skip jack tuna and five more are forthcoming. The export of their products is largely targeted to European Union. The government has consistently promoted sustainable, environmental friendly fishing methods such as pole, line, long line, trolling, and hand line. Gill netting is only allowed in areas designated for bait fishing. The government has consistently promoted sustainable, environmental friendly fishing methods such as pole, line, long line, trolling, and hand line. Gill netting is only allowed in areas designated for bait fishing.

Environmental Resources Environmental resources are mostly in terms of the unique number and quality of coral reefs and sandy beaches. These resources are used mostly by the tourism sector for water sports and general relaxation. Environmental law to some extent protects the resources by stipulating specific uses of some islands, a certain number of lagoons usable for bait fishing, and, finally, designates 26 locations as protected natural habitats. Environmental resources are mostly in terms of the unique number and quality of coral reefs and sandy beaches. These resources are used mostly by the tourism sector for water sports and general relaxation. Environmental law to some extent protects the resources by stipulating specific uses of some islands, a certain number of lagoons usable for bait fishing, and, finally, designates 26 locations as protected natural habitats.

Measures to protect the habitat against pollution from human activities (business) activities such as tourism and industrial activities are monitored and inspected for compliance with regulations on waste water treatment and collection of solid waste. Fishing vessels, however, are not inspected with respect to their potential as polluters. Measures to protect the habitat against pollution from human activities (business) activities such as tourism and industrial activities are monitored and inspected for compliance with regulations on waste water treatment and collection of solid waste. Fishing vessels, however, are not inspected with respect to their potential as polluters.

The marine environment is highly sensitive to climatic or natural calamities. The low lying archipelago, where the most elevated natural point is 1.6 metre above sea level, is vulnerable to sudden climatic extremes. The marine environment is highly sensitive to climatic or natural calamities. The low lying archipelago, where the most elevated natural point is 1.6 metre above sea level, is vulnerable to sudden climatic extremes. Human made pollution such as e.g. oil spills would have an immediate and devastating effect on the surroundings such as reefs and beaches. The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water (MEEW) is the authority responsible for sector policy design and for defining legal instruments and regulations to monitor pollution. Human made pollution such as e.g. oil spills would have an immediate and devastating effect on the surroundings such as reefs and beaches. The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water (MEEW) is the authority responsible for sector policy design and for defining legal instruments and regulations to monitor pollution.

Fishing methods Fishing methods generally practiced in the Maldives are not destructive for the environment. Although the fisheries industry expanded through the mechanization of the traditional fishing fleet, fuel distribution and fish collection systems, the fishing practice remained traditional. Fishing methods generally practiced in the Maldives are not destructive for the environment. Although the fisheries industry expanded through the mechanization of the traditional fishing fleet, fuel distribution and fish collection systems, the fishing practice remained traditional.

Most fish are caught using lines which target a certain species and thus by-catch which is wasted is almost non-existent. The tuna fishery is largely based on pole and line fishing from mechanized dhonis, thus producing a "dolphin friendly" product. Other species such as groupers are caught using hand lines and sea cucumbers are collected by hand or using lines Most fish are caught using lines which target a certain species and thus by-catch which is wasted is almost non-existent. The tuna fishery is largely based on pole and line fishing from mechanized dhonis, thus producing a "dolphin friendly" product. Other species such as groupers are caught using hand lines and sea cucumbers are collected by hand or using lines

Some bait fishing practices are known to have adverse effects on the habitat. When catching species closely associated with the reef, sometimes poles or a"scarer" (palm fronds or steel chain) are used to chase the fish. This can result in damage to the coral. Some bait fishing practices are known to have adverse effects on the habitat. When catching species closely associated with the reef, sometimes poles or a"scarer" (palm fronds or steel chain) are used to chase the fish. This can result in damage to the coral. In recent years, the method of catching live bait have changed from the traditional method of collecting bait during the day to using light at night to attract bait. The environmental implications of this change are being studied. Although not widely practiced, some isolated cases of illegal use of chemicals, which can be detrimental to the reefs, are reported. These include use of household bleach or chlorine to catch octopus In recent years, the method of catching live bait have changed from the traditional method of collecting bait during the day to using light at night to attract bait. The environmental implications of this change are being studied. Although not widely practiced, some isolated cases of illegal use of chemicals, which can be detrimental to the reefs, are reported. These include use of household bleach or chlorine to catch octopus

Environmental Issues Principal and immediate coastal-related issues relating to environment include: beach erosion due to inappropriate human intervention in the coastal environment; beach erosion due to inappropriate human intervention in the coastal environment; threats to the biological diversity of coral reefs resulting from over-fishing of some reef resources, and increased reef habitat degradation; threats to the biological diversity of coral reefs resulting from over-fishing of some reef resources, and increased reef habitat degradation;

increased conflicts amongst reef resource users; increased conflicts amongst reef resource users; greater stress on bait fish resources to support the pole-and-line tuna fishery, one of the mainstays of the national economy; greater stress on bait fish resources to support the pole-and-line tuna fishery, one of the mainstays of the national economy;

increased stress on island freshwater leases fuelled by growth in island populations; increased stress on island freshwater leases fuelled by growth in island populations; groundwater contamination and environmental degradation due to inadequate solid waste and sewage disposal practices; groundwater contamination and environmental degradation due to inadequate solid waste and sewage disposal practices;

increasing population pressure seen in overcrowding, encroachment onto beach areas, necessitating land use planning and sustainable resource use; increasing population pressure seen in overcrowding, encroachment onto beach areas, necessitating land use planning and sustainable resource use; vulnerability to climate change and sea level rise. vulnerability to climate change and sea level rise.

Actions taken The government has given priority to develop environmental policies, laws and institutions to deal with the major environmental issues facing the country. The government has given priority to develop environmental policies, laws and institutions to deal with the major environmental issues facing the country. The Second National Environment Action Plan of Maldives was adopted in 1999 to address the pressing environmental challenges. The second National Environment Action Plan identifies the need to take an integrated approach to the management of the environment and to work towards the goal of sustainable development. The Second National Environment Action Plan of Maldives was adopted in 1999 to address the pressing environmental challenges. The second National Environment Action Plan identifies the need to take an integrated approach to the management of the environment and to work towards the goal of sustainable development.

The aim of NEAP II is to protect and preserve the environment of the Maldives, and to sustainably manage its resources for the collective benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The aim of NEAP II is to protect and preserve the environment of the Maldives, and to sustainably manage its resources for the collective benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The NEAP identifies climate change and sea level rise; coastal zone management; biological diversity conservation; integrated reef resources management; integrated water resources management; management of solid wastes and sewage; pollution control and managing hazardous wastes; sustainable tourism development; land resources management and sustainable agriculture; human settlements and urbanization and sustainable fisheries management as the key issues to be addressed. The NEAP identifies climate change and sea level rise; coastal zone management; biological diversity conservation; integrated reef resources management; integrated water resources management; management of solid wastes and sewage; pollution control and managing hazardous wastes; sustainable tourism development; land resources management and sustainable agriculture; human settlements and urbanization and sustainable fisheries management as the key issues to be addressed.

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