- The Maldives completed its sixth Basic Mariculture Training Course, with eight participants trained in hatchery operations and aquaculture farming at Maaniyaafushi, Kaafu Atoll.
- Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam announced annual courses will increase from two to four following President Muizzu's directive to accelerate the marine-food agenda.
- A total of 76 individuals have completed the World Bank-funded programme, with a public third cohort scheduled to begin in October.
The Maldives has completed its sixth Basic Mariculture Training Course, with eight participants receiving practical instruction in marine hatchery operations and aquaculture farming.
The 12-day course was held at the Maldives Marine Research Institute’s facility in Maaniyaafushi, Kaafu Atoll, under the Marine Hatchery Skills Development Program. It was the second session held this year.
Participants from several atolls were trained in hatchery techniques, live-food culture and the farming of groupers, sea cucumbers, clownfish, pearl oysters and seaweed. The programme also covered disease identification and prevention, alongside environmental practices relevant to aquaculture operations.
The training is intended to provide participants with skills needed to establish reef-fish hatcheries and other mariculture ventures in the Maldives.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam said mariculture had become a high-priority sector for the country. He said the annual number of courses would increase from two to four following a directive to accelerate the marine-food agenda.
“We began with two annual programmes at Maaniyaafushi, but following the President’s directive to accelerate our marine-food agenda, we will expand to four courses each year,” he said.
A total of 76 individuals have completed the programme so far. The Minister said the third cohort, which will be open to the public, is scheduled to begin in October.
The course is funded through the World Bank’s TRANSFORM Project and delivered by the Maldives Marine Research Institute.
