This tradition is crucial for maintaining the health of the Maldives' marine ecosystem and ensuring that future generations can continue to rely on fishing for their livelihoods. It highlights the importance of sustainable practices in preserving natural resources.

The country’s fisheries and the health of its seas still rely on a method practised for nearly 1,000 years – catching skipjack tuna one fish at a time<ul><li>Photographs and video by Ibrahim Bassam</li></ul>At 3.04am, most of the residents of the northern Maldivian island village of Kanditheemu are fast asleep. Only the faint sound of waves lapping against anchored boats and the crunch of sand under weathered sandals breaks the silence. Carrying buckets and small bags, 14 fishers emerge and move quietly towards the harbour, crossing a narrow wooden plank to board a 24-metre-long dhoni boat named Mas Vaali.For captain Ibrahim Hamid, 61, this routine has been the same for decades: rise before dawn, steer a dhoni across the Indian Ocean, and oversee a crew hauling in silvery skipjack tuna using single poles and lines – in a process that is often unchanged from how they fished as boys. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/04/just-a-pole-and-line-like-they-fished-as-boys-how-a-maldives-tradition-is-ensuring-tuna-stocks-thrive">Continue reading...</a>

هذا التقليد ضروري للحفاظ على صحة النظام البيئي البحري في المالديف وضمان أن الأجيال القادمة يمكن أن تستمر في الاعتماد على الصيد لكسب عيشها. يبرز أهمية الممارسات المستدامة في الحفاظ على الموارد الطبيعية.

تواصل جزر المالديف تقليدها في الصيد المستدام الذي يمتد لأكثر من 1000 عام من خلال صيد سمك التونة واحدًا تلو الآخر. لا تحافظ هذه الطريقة على مخزونات الأسماك فحسب، بل تدعم أيضًا المجتمع المحلي.

Esta tradición es crucial para mantener la salud del ecosistema marino de las Maldivas y asegurar que las futuras generaciones puedan seguir dependiendo de la pesca para su sustento. Destaca la importancia de las prácticas sostenibles en la preservación de los recursos naturales.

Las Maldivas continúan su tradición de pesca sostenible de casi 1,000 años al capturar atún listao uno a la vez. Este método no solo preserva las poblaciones de peces, sino que también apoya a la comunidad local.

Cette tradition est essentielle pour maintenir la santé de l'écosystème marin des Maldives et garantir que les générations futures puissent continuer à compter sur la pêche pour leur subsistance. Elle souligne l'importance des pratiques durables dans la préservation des ressources naturelles.

Les Maldives poursuivent leur tradition de pêche durable de près de 1 000 ans en attrapant le thon listao un par un. Cette méthode préserve non seulement les stocks de poissons, mais soutient également la communauté locale.

The Maldives continues its nearly 1,000-year-old tradition of sustainable fishing by catching skipjack tuna one at a time. This method not only preserves the fish stocks but also supports the local community.

Just a pole and line, like they fished as boys: how a Maldives tradition is ensuring tuna stocks thrive

Was this article worth reading? Share it

Ready to build your own newsroom?