| Trenton, originally from Australia, has a unique and | | | | requires massive investment, and in a country which |
| distinguished style when it comes to cooking and is | | | | is still considered third-world in many ways, this will be |
| also an avid diver. Working in an environment where | | | | very difficult. Having said this, when the Western |
| Seafood is a predominant part of the local culture, I | | | | world first became interested in the Maldives as a |
| was keen to investigate the play off between | | | | tourist destination, the Government were very quick |
| sampling the delights of the ocean and appreciating | | | | to cotton onto the fact that they could make far |
| these creatures for the natural beauty. | | | | more gross domestic product from selling the |
| Australia has one of the worlds most extensive and | | | | beauties its oceans hold to divers, as opposed to |
| regulated Fisheries Councils. In some ways, they have | | | | fishing. However, fishing is still a massive part of the |
| more power than the Police! Trenton regales me with | | | | culture here - Maldivian people are brought up on |
| stories from his childhood when he and his friends | | | | boats and many learn to fish before they learn to |
| used to go spear fishing close to their home in | | | | read or write. |
| Geralton. It was always a risky business. In Australia | | | | A new Government has recently been elected here |
| it is illegal to fish certain species in their breeding | | | | in the Maldives and if there was ever an opportunity |
| seasons and to catch crayfish under or oversized. For | | | | to make a change such as this, the time is now. Of |
| troublesome youths, spear fishing is an innocent way | | | | course this would only be feasible with the support |
| to pass the time when growing up in a small town. | | | | of the Resorts themselves. Trenton is keen to do his |
| But for adults, the penalties can be severe. The | | | | part to help to support the amazing diversity of |
| Fisheries Council have the power to take away your | | | | marine life we have here, but is also very aware of |
| catch, tow your boat and your car, and to enforce a | | | | the fact that fishing is a way for many people here |
| hefty fine. | | | | to make a living and support their families. |
| Having been born and bread to respect the sea and | | | | I asked Trenton what we, as consumers, can do to |
| all the wonders it contains, coupled with his pursuit | | | | help the worlds floundering fish populations: |
| and passion for cooking, Trenton explained to me | | | | "The important thing here is to understand the sea |
| how difficult he finds it working here in the Maldives | | | | and its fragile ecology. When fishing with large nets |
| where Fishing regulations are almost non existent. | | | | for example, there is a HUGE amount of wasted |
| Yes, certain areas are 'supposedly' illegal to fish on - | | | | by-catch. Even if you are catching baitfish which |
| designated at Marine Reserves. But, in a country | | | | school in their thousands, this of course has a |
| where the Islands are so scattered, such laws are | | | | knock-on effect for other, larger marine species |
| near impossible to Police. Shark fining for example is | | | | which feed on them. Fisheries Councils worldwide |
| against the law, but how do you hope to enforce | | | | publish facts and figures highlighting which specific |
| and regulate such a rule when the Islands are spread | | | | species are struggling - with information such as this, |
| out? There are no minimum or maximum sizes when | | | | we can all make educated and environmentally |
| catching crayfish, or any laws to enforce | | | | friendly decisions when choosing which fish we put |
| catch-and-release when Big Game Fishing. | | | | on our tables. If you want to do your part to protect |
| The majority of fish supplied to Resort Islands, such | | | | the marine life, it just takes a little bit of research. |
| as Kanuhura, is supplied from local fishermen. In small | | | | There is a fantastic book by Tim Lowe called 'Ethics |
| boats, they brave every weather condition, moving | | | | of what we eat' which impresses the importance of |
| around great distances in search of snapper, sweet | | | | protecting the worlds species, not only those under |
| lips, tuna, jackfish, lobster etc. Using lines to catch the | | | | the water. Across the globe the difficulty comes in |
| fish, and free diving to catch lobsters...you would | | | | the balance between economic rational and |
| think this would have a relatively insignificant impact | | | | sustainability. This is a problem that has been fought |
| on the marine life. The problem is, there are so many | | | | for decades, but in today's society, far more people |
| fishermen. It is their livelihood and of course, if one | | | | are aware of it which can only help the situation. |
| Resort was to impose restrictions on where they | | | | When buying any sort of fish, do not just consider |
| fished, or the size of the lobsters they take from | | | | the price on the label, consider also the price the |
| the reefs, they would simply refuse to supply them | | | | worlds marine life is paying - to the detriment of |
| and sell their catch to another Resort. The same | | | | future generations of divers who may not have the |
| goes for Shark fining. Yes, they are fully aware that | | | | opportunity to gaze on such beauties." |
| it is illegal, but with almost no risk of getting caught, | | | | Even since I have been working here in the Maldives, |
| and the chance to make good money, of course you | | | | in the last three years, I have seen the Marine life |
| can understand why it still goes on here in the | | | | take a severe beating. Smaller reef fish are still, |
| Maldives. | | | | thankfully, present in sustainable numbers. Lobster |
| The only way in which we can prevent the marine | | | | and sharks on the other hand, are far and few |
| life here suffering beyond repair, is to appeal to the | | | | between. We can all do our bit to help support the |
| Government to enforce stricter rules and regulations, | | | | fragile marine system, but I wonder, whether this will |
| much like they have in Australia. But of course this | | | | be enough? |