VP Inaugurates Start of Land Reclamation for Fiyoaree Fisheries Project

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef inaugurated the commencement of practical works for the land reclamation project for a fish processing factory and harbour development in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Fiyoaree, yesterday.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice President said the project would improve the livelihoods of fishermen and their families in Fiyoaree and across the atoll, while supporting economic self-sufficiency and regional development. According to the President’s Office, he described the initiative as a step towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for the region.

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The Vice President noted that the atoll has strong expertise in pole-and-line fisheries and said the existing Kooddoo fisheries complex alone is no longer sufficient to manage the current volume of catch, prompting the decision to establish a new fish processing facility in Fiyoaree.

The President’s Office said he also highlighted the community’s long-standing focus on development and its strong local identity. He said the factory would create employment opportunities for residents across Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll once it becomes operational.

According to the Vice President, the facility is expected to support the broader development of the fisheries sector by encouraging youth participation and enabling the entry of additional fishing vessels into the industry.

He said authorities had made significant revisions to the original project design at the commencement stage. These changes include increasing cold storage capacity from 1,500 metric tonnes to 3,000 metric tonnes.

Once completed, the fish processing factory will be able to can up to 100 tonnes of fish per day, while the associated fishmeal plant will have the capacity to produce 100 tonnes of fishmeal daily, the President’s Office noted.

The Vice President attended the event alongside Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib, and the Member of Parliament for the Faresmaathodaa Constituency, Ashraf Rasheed.