The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has announced the installation of 22 new Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) under the current administration, marking a continued effort to enhance marine infrastructure and support the fisheries sector.
According to the ministry, 12 of the devices were deployed in 2024, with a further 10 installed so far in 2025, bringing the total number of FADs in operation across the country to 101. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve access to productive fishing grounds and modernise an industry central to the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The national FAD network is comprised of two main types. Sixty-five ‘Dhoshi Kandhufathi’ units are used for pole-and-line fishing, specifically designed for longline and offshore tuna harvesting, particularly skipjack tuna. The remaining thirty-six are ‘Vadhu Kandhufathi’ units, which cater to sports and reef fishing, supporting reef-based and recreational activities.
While the expansion strengthens the country’s fishing infrastructure, the ministry acknowledged that logistical challenges remain. Currently, all FADs are deployed from a single installation centre located in Hulhumalé, which limits the speed and scale of deployment across the Maldives’ vast maritime territory.
To address this, the ministry plans to establish two additional installation centres—one in the northern region and another in the south. Construction of the first of these facilities, to be based in Funadhoo in Shaviyani Atoll, is expected to begin before the end of the year.
Officials described the initiative as a step towards ensuring equitable access to fishing resources and improving operational efficiency for fishers across the atolls.
