The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) has stated that the installation of Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) systems on fishing vessels is underway as part of the Kandu Falhuge Nafaa Programme.
Speaking to PSM News, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIFCO Ismail Fauzee said that the installation of RSW systems on fishing vessels will provide a better price for the fish. He said the government is giving special priority to installing RSW systems on vessels. In addition, he said the RSW system would be installed after studying the capacity of the boat through MIFCO engineers. He said MIFCO will also install good quality RSW systems and resolve warranty issues and centres will be made available for the service.
The installation of RSW systems aims at lessening the burden and cost on fishermen who face difficulties in obtaining ice from the ice plants located in different atolls. It is also aimed at developing the industry further and allowing fishermen to stay at sea for longer periods by keeping their catch fresh. The government is in the process of installing the systems on fishing boats to facilitate the availability of a cooling system. In addition, the government is issuing loans for the installation of RSW systems. As such, the funds needed to install RSW systems have also been changed to be deposited directly into the account of the owner of the fishing boats.