Fisherfolk in the Maldives are worried that a recent govetnment decision to allow foreign vessels to operate 120-68 km from the countrys shoreline will rob them of tliew livelihood, as hi-jech ships capable of sinking thousands of fishing lines into the ocean at one time will eat up the fish stock. According to Inter Press Service, about 25 foreign vessels have already begun working off the Maldives coast one of which is reportedly using Z500 lines simuttaneously.