Fisheries Ministry extends deadline for islands to host national Fishermen’s Day celebrations

The deadline for islands interested in hosting this year’s Fishermen’s Day celebrations has been extended to the 14th of this month.

Fishermen’s Day is marked annually on December 10.

The Ministry of Fisheries first opened applications on April 30, inviting all islands to express interest in hosting the official national celebrations. The initial deadline closed on May 31.

In a circular issued Thursday, the ministry announced that the deadline has now been extended, citing public holidays related to Eid. Interested islands have been asked to submit their applications through the Government E‑Letter Management System (GEMS) before 12:00 pm on June 14.

2026 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ މަސްވެރިންގެ ދުވަސް ފާހަގަކުރާނެ ރަށެއް ކަނޑައެޅުމަށްޓަކައި، ޝައުގުވެރިކަން ފާޅުކުރުމަށް ހުޅުވާލާފައިވާ މުއްދަތު މިހާރު ވަނީ އިތުރުކޮށްފައެވެ.https://t.co/pu4iGcMAnu pic.twitter.com/Cc9CV8oDtC

— Min of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources (@MFAORmv) June 4, 2026

The ministry said an Expression of Interest (EOI) form has been shared along with the circular. For inquiries regarding the application process, islands may contact the ministry at 3339274.

Last year, the government held the national Fishermen’s Day celebrations in R. Dhuvaafaru, with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attending the official ceremony.

The government has said it is prioritising timely payments to fishermen as part of its efforts to strengthen the fishing industry, one of the main pillars of the Maldivian economy.