Fisheries Ministry Designates 10 Additional Areas for Mariculture Development

The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources has designated 10 additional areas for mariculture activities as the government moves to expand the sector as a standalone industry.

The new areas bring the total number of designated mariculture zones in the Maldives to 13, following the allocation of three areas previously. The government said the initiative aims to maximise the use of the country’s marine resources, with 99 per cent of the Maldives consisting of ocean.

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The 10 newly designated areas are located across five atolls, with two areas in Thaa Atoll, three in Meemu Atoll, two in Faafu Atoll, two in Dhaalu Atoll and one in Gaafu Alif Atoll.

ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގައި މެރިކަލްޗަރގެ ޞިނާޢަތް އިތުރަށް ތަރައްޤީކޮށް ފުޅާކުރުމުގެ ގޮތުން، އެ މަސައްކަތަށް ޚާއްޞަކޮށްގެން އިތުރު 10 ސަރަހައްދު ކަނޑައެޅުން.https://t.co/2LN1NA9ArQ pic.twitter.com/Q3Qa5xC4Ux— Min of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources (@MFAORmv) August 17, 2026

A lagoon located approximately two kilometres from Boduthiladhunmathi and Maniyafushi has also been designated for mariculture activities.

The government has been working to develop mariculture through initiatives including seaweed cultivation. Seaweed was exported from the Maldives on an industrial scale for the first time in 2025.

The ministry is also conducting training programmes to equip Maldivians with the skills needed to participate in and develop the mariculture sector.