Maldives Reef 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 management of the general reef 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 activities carried out in the Maldives related to reef fishery resources except for invertebrate species, including: fishing related activities, processing, trading and exporting of reef fish and reef fish 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 fishery: commonly caught reef fish species, their habitat and ecology; general reef fishery overview; fishing gears; trade and export; research and undertaken efforts to manage reef fishery resources; harvesting and export restrictions; management measures, including: establishment of an advisory committee, gear regulation, catch certification, precautionary measures. Concerning the objectives, this Plan focuses on: maintenance or restoration of the reef fish stocks at healthy levels, in order to support the ecological, social and economic needs of the Maldivian people; promotion of responsible fishing practices that minimise the impacts on reef fish habitats and ecosystems; enhancement of the governance and management of the reef fishery, including improving data collection, monitoring, compliance and enforcement.