A workshop has been conducted to explore improvements to the Anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (aFADs) in the Maldives.
The design of the current aFADs used in the Maldives was developed 20 years ago. The designs are now outdated and prone to breakage, causing challenges to fishermen and incurring significant maintenance costs, according to the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources,
During an official visit to Italy last year, the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam established an agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to bring changes to the existing aFAD design.
As part of the project launch, the Fisheries Ministry conducted a workshop with relevant stakeholders, aiming to evaluate existing aDAF designs and create advanced prototypes to promote sustainable fisheries. The main objective of the workshop is to evaluate the performance of existing aFADs and identify the problems with it as well as identify the concerns of stakeholders.
Speaking at the workshop, the Fisheries Minister said the project will be the largest of its kind to be undertaken in the Maldives over the past 40 years.
The re-designed aFADs will utilise modern technology to improve durability and efficiency. Under the newly launched project, two new designs will be developed and tested across two areas of the Maldives, with technical and financial assistance from FAO.
Currently, the Maldives utilises two types of aFADs. This includes 65 aFADs for pole and line fishing and 26 aFADs for sports fishing.