How can Maldives earn income from fishing resources in its exclusive economic zone?

The Maldives can increase its national income by leveraging its exclusive economic zone, which grants the nation sovereign rights over marine resources within 200 nautical miles of its coast.12

Because the Maldives may lack the extensive capital and advanced technology required to fully exploit deep-sea pelagic resources—such as tuna—it can generate revenue by selling fishing rights within its zone to major international fishing nations that possess the necessary industrial capacity.1

In addition to this strategy, the Maldives already maintains a significant fishing industry, with fish exports—primarily skipjack tuna—serving as a cornerstone of the country's trade economy.34