Malé, Maldives – Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture on Saturday began fixing detached FADs amid monsoon weather, with eight detachments reported thus far.
Fisheries Ministry reports that 8 local councils have reported damage to FAD installation in the areas including HA. Filladhoo, Sh. Komandoo, Lh. Faadhoo, K. Maafushi, AA. Ukulhas and Th. Hirilandhoo.
The Ministry has commenced resolving the damages to the FADs located in HA. Filladhoo, Sh. Komandoo, Lh. Faadhoo, K. Maafushi, AA. Ukulhas.
To this end, Fisheries Ministry attached the FAD (H10D01) located 12.6 miles off K. Maafushi on 20 July and FAD (F10D01) located 10.25 miles off Lh. Faadhoo on 21 July 2022.
The Ministry successfully reinstalled FAD (C09D01) located 15 miles off HA. Filladhoo today.
The Fishing Aggregation Devices in the form of buoys that are polyethylene foam floats usually laminated with fibreglass provide ease for fishermen by marking areas for pole-and-line fishing.
Fishing marker buoys were first placed in the Maldives in 1980. The first 10 marker buoys were placed under the aid of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), while the next 10 marker buoys were placed under the aid of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The FADs increased in number since, with the state handling responsibility for them. 2016 statistics show that 90 percent of Maldivian fish catch are from near these areas.
