Maldives Lobster 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 an effective management and monitoring structure for the lobster fishery and aims at guiding the authorities and the stakeholders in the sustainable development of the lobster fishery and trade in the Maldives, in order to ensure long-term benefits to the people of Maldives. The Management Plan applies to all activities carried out in the Maldives that may impact lobster resources, including harvesting, processing, storage, trading, and exporting of lobster products 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 lobster fishery: the biological and ecological characteristics of the lobsters; the socio-economic importance and potential of the lobster fishery; monitoring, evaluation and review mechanisms; protection of habitat and ecological measures. Concerning the objectives, this Plan focuses on: maintenance of the lobster stock, in order to produce the maximum sustainable yield; protection and conservation of the lobster habitats and ecosystem; promotion the fishers’ and other stakeholders’ participation and empowerment in the lobster fishery management; enhancement of quality and value of the fishery products; strengthening the use of environmentally friendly gears and techniques in the fishery.