Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture has begun preparations to build cold storage facilities in the northern and southern regions of the Maldives.
The fisheries ministry stated that the project is in the pre-tendering stage, which involves hiring consultants, design work, and planning. The projects are expected to solve the issues related to processing and storing fish.
The ministry is implementing the Fisheries Sector Development Project funded through the loan assistance provided by Saudi Arabia. Under the project, the ministry will upgrade the cold storage facilities in Kandu’oiy Giri and Kooddoo in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, and build cold storage facilities in Mulah in Meemu Atoll and Thinadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
As such, the ministry will be building a 500mt cold storage facility in Mulah with a 60t brine-freezing capacity. Development of a 160m fisheries complex is also ongoing on the island. Additionally, a 1,000mt cold storage facility will be built in Thinadhoo with the capacity to process 80t of fish. It will also have the capacity to freeze 50t of brine and a 30t refrigerated salt water (RSW) facility.