Ministry Expands National FAD Network With Over 70 New Installations

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has expanded the country’s fishing infrastructure over the past two years with the installation of 76 new Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) across Maldivian waters.

The initiative, introduced to support both commercial and recreational fishing, includes 39 FADs designated for sport fishing and 37 designed for pole-and-line fisheries. The Ministry said the expansion responds to increased demand from island councils and youth groups for Vadhu Kandhufathi units, which are commonly used for reef-based and recreational angling.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

In parallel, 37 Dhoshi Kandhufathi units have been installed to support deep-sea tuna fishing using the traditional pole-and-line method, which remains a central pillar of the Maldivian fisheries sector.

The Ministry stated that the deployment of the new FADs forms part of the government’s wider strategy to strengthen and modernise the industry. As part of this plan, preparations are underway to establish FAD centres in both the northern and southern regions to improve the repair and maintenance of the devices. These centres are expected to speed up the rebuilding of damaged units and reduce disruptions to fishing operations.

Construction of the regional centres is expected to begin before December, underscoring the government’s commitment to a sustainable and resilient fisheries sector.