The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has announced plans to install Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) at 38 designated sites, following a surge in public requests. Of the shortlisted locations, nine FADs have already been deployed, the ministry confirmed.
The expansion comes amid growing demand for reef-based and recreational fishing infrastructure. The initiative, led by the ministry, aims to bolster economic opportunities for local fishermen while promoting sustainable marine resource management nationwide.
Central to the programme are two categories of FADs currently deployed by the ministry: 'Dhoshi Kandhufathi', calibrated for pole-and-line fishing and targeting tuna and deep-sea species, and 'Vadhu Kandhufathi', designed to support sports and reef fishing. Ministry officials report a marked increase in demand for the latter, reflecting the growing popularity of recreational fishing in coastal communities.
That demand has translated into 38 formal requests for the deployment of Vadhu Kandhufathi units. Of these, nine have already been installed, including a newly positioned device located seven miles southeast of Dhiththundi, near Kolhufushi in Meemu Atoll, on 4 August 2025.
With the latest additions, the national FAD network now comprises 102 operational units: 65 Dhoshi Kandhufathi dedicated to offshore fishing and 37 Vadhu Kandhufathi supporting reef and sports fishing. Although no recent requests have been submitted for Dhoshi Kandhufathi, the ministry continues to maintain the offshore infrastructure. When units detach or drift, they are promptly replaced. This week, the Dhoshi Kandhufathi near Vilufushi in Thaa Atoll was renewed and repositioned 10 miles east of its original location following a break-off incident.
Since the start of the current administration, 22 new FADs have been deployed nationwide. Alongside this expansion, the government is advancing plans to establish dedicated FAD centres in two regions. The ministry has confirmed that groundwork for the centre in Funadhoo, Shaviyani Atoll, is scheduled to commence before December 2025.