Maldives Grouper Fishery Management Plan.

This Management Plan, made in pursuance to article 18 of the Act no. 2019/14 (The Fisheries Act of the Maldives), provides for the sustainable development of the grouper fishery and trade in the Maldives, in order to ensure long-term benefits to the people of Maldives and guide stakeholders and authorities in the sustainable development of the fishery. The Management Plan applies to all the species belonging to the subfamily Epinephelinae and to all the activities carried out in the Maldives involving the grouper resources, including: fishing, aquaculture, processing, trading and exporting of groupers from the Maldives. The Management Plan is inspired by the following guiding principles: precautionary approach; ecosystem-based management; universal responsibility; sustainable development; participatory approach. The Plan covers the following aspects of the fishery: protection of habitat; ecological significance; grouper species commonly landed in the Maldives; establishment of the advisory committee; licensing; data collection and management; legal size requirements; harvesting restrictions; protected grouper spawning aggregation sites. Concerning the objectives, this Plan focuses on: collection of biological, ecological, and socio-economic data on the grouper fishery and associated resources; implementing monitoring and surveillance measures for the grouper fishery and trade; ensuring equitable benefits to all Maldivians and improve their livelihoods through decentralised development of the grouper fishery and trade; increasing education and awareness on grouper fishery and resources amongst stakeholders; promoting the use of environmentally friendly gears and techniques.