Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture has issued a directive urging local fishing vessels to report any challenges encountered during the installation of vessel locating devices (VLDs).
In a statement, the fisheries ministry emphasised the importance of implementing and maintaining VLDs on fishing vessels. It is aimed at enhancing the safety and security of fishermen, as well as effectively overseeing and regulating sea fishing operations. Additionally, the installation of VLDs holds significance for the export of Maldivian fish products to international markets, including regions such as the European Union (EU).
As per the existing regulations, all fishing vessels with a length of up to 18m are mandated to be equipped with VLDs. However, the ministry has noted that approximately 90 vessels that fall within this category of 18m have yet to be installed with VLDs. Therefore, the ministry announced that the installation of VLDs must be carried out before October 30. In the event that any challenges arise that hinder the completion of VLD installation within the designated timeframe, the ministry has requested that vessel owners provide details including the name and registration number of the vessel.
The fisheries ministry has been offering VLDs at no cost and overseeing their installation in licensed sea fishing vessels in collaboration with Ooredoo Maldives since 2020. As a result, 318 vessels have already successfully implemented VLDs out of a total of 534 fishing vessels.
VLDs incorporate cutting-edge tracking and tracing technology, offering real-time location updates to monitoring stations. Vessel owners and operators can also track the activities of vessels in real time. These devices include a distress signal button that sends alerts to monitoring centres every five minutes, providing precise location details. Moreover, they are equipped with advanced features, such as maintaining internet connectivity through locator satellites when vessels are beyond mobile network coverage.