Ali Majid Takes New Position As Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture

On Thursday morning, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has appointed Mr. Ali Majid as the new Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.  

Mr. Majid who holds a Diploma in Business Management from Mandhu College has served the government as the Managing Director and a Board Member of Northern Utilities Limited, and at the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources as a Programme Officer prior to his new appointment. In addition to this, he was also an elected Council Member and Head of Infrastructure and Development at the Secretariat of the Noonu Atoll Council.  

The appointment comes at a time the Ministry has been under public scrutiny for discussions pertaining to legalizing targeted shark fishing and trading in the Maldives. However, the Ministry has clarified their position noting that the discussions were regarding re-instating longline fishery targeting bigeye tuna whereas the possibility of bycatch of sharks in the longline fishery, including management of this bycatch. The Ministry further states that they have no intention on permitting targeted shark fishery in the Maldives.