The government has expanded the deployment of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) across the Maldives, with 90 units installed to date as part of efforts to support both commercial and recreational fishing activities.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, the installed FADs are split between two primary uses. Of the total, 42 are designated for pole-and-line fisheries, which remain central to the Maldives’ tuna industry, while 48 have been allocated for sport fishing. The distribution reflects an attempt to balance the needs of traditional fishing operations with the growing interest in recreational fishing.
FADs play a key role in improving fishing efficiency by attracting fish to specific locations, reducing the time and fuel required for fishing trips. However, their maintenance remains an ongoing challenge. The ministry noted that damaged or drifting FADs can disrupt fishing activity, and repair efforts have been prioritised to ensure continuity.
Demand for additional FADs continues to exceed current capacity. At present, deployment is constrained by the availability of only one FAD establishment centre located in Hulhumalé. To address this, the government is planning to expand infrastructure by setting up two additional centres in the northern and southern regions.
Construction of a new FAD establishment centre in Funadhoo is expected to begin soon, which could ease logistical constraints and improve response times for installation and maintenance. The expansion signals a broader push to strengthen fisheries infrastructure, particularly in outer atolls where access to such facilities remains limited.
