Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture has stated that the detached Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in five regions of the country have been reattached.
The FADs were reattached 16 miles southeast of Dhiththun'di in Meemu Atoll, 15 miles southwest of Hirilandhoo Thaa Atoll, 12 miles east of Maamutaa in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, and 12.5 miles south of Fiyoaree in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The ministry revealed a special number has been given to identifying the FADs and it is the sixth time it has placed FADs across the country.
FADs are anchored or drifting objects that are placed in the ocean to attract fish. The fisheries ministry stated one of the main reasons FADs get damaged or detached is the anchoring of vessels to the FADs. The ministry has urged fishermen not to anchor their vessels to FADs and to inform if any vessels are found anchored to the devices.