A new Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) was installed outside K.Kaashidhoo earlier today by the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture. The Ministry posted pictures of the installation process on Twitter. The FAD number G09V01 was installed approximately 4.5 miles north of the island. This is the first time the island got the device installed, and it will, without doubt, help the citizens and fishermen fishing in the area. A fish aggregating device was installed outside K.Kaashidhoo.
The Maldives depend on fishing as the second main source of income, with tourism being the first. It was a survival necessity for our forefathers, and many locals across the country still depend on sustainable fishing to earn a living. The device is part of the project to install FADs across the country initiated by the government aimed to improve fishing and help local fishermen. Â
Each FAD is labeled and the Ministry of fisheries, marine resources and agriculture published the list of FADs with labels and their locations.
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Maldives started using FAD in the year 1981 with finical aid from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aiming to develop and promote the fishing sector in the Maldives. Â The Ministry deployed 3 batches of FADs at the time one after the other and surveys were conducted which showed that the rope attached to position the FAD breaks easily from shark bites.
In the year 2000, the government modified the rope by putting metal wires inside the rope so that it will not break easily. All the already installed FAD lines were changed to the modified rope. The efforts to sustain the FADs were continued and in 2017 a remodified version of FADs was introduced with buoy and ropes larger than the previous version. The device still keeps breaking and the Ministry replaces each FAD with a new one once it breaks. A larger budget was allocated with the ministry deploying a better FAD.
The Ministry further informed today that the Team Kandhufathi will be traveling to Th. Thimarafushi and Vilufushi today to install FADs in the islands.
Source: Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources & Agriculture twitter handle @MoFMRAmv
