The Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam has announced that the government is actively advancing the mariculture sector through a series of legislative amendments, dedicated training programmes, and financial support measures.
Speaking on the progress of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s “Week 14” roadmap, the Minister highlighted that six training initiatives have already been completed, equipping 76 young Maldivians with aquaculture skills and hatchery‑operation techniques for reef‑fish breeding. Following a presidential directive, the annual training schedule has been doubled from two to four sessions, with the third and fourth courses set for October and November, he explained.
According to Minister Shiyam, in order to create an enabling environment for industry growth, the Ministry is pushing two key legislative changes currently before Parliament—an amendment to the existing Fisheries Act and a brand‑new bill governing uninhabited islands and lagoons. Once enacted, the latter will establish a clear legal framework that allows investors and operators to develop mariculture projects, attract capital, and expand existing operations, he added.
Geographically, the government has earmarked 13 zones across six atolls for mariculture, covering a total of 3,849 hectares. Complementing these spatial allocations, a dedicated “Mariculture Scheme” offers low‑interest loans for purchasing sea cages, aimed at lowering entry barriers for newcomers and facilitating expansion for established players.
Minister Shiyam emphasised that the combination of skill development, regulatory reform, and targeted financing is designed to transform mariculture into a distinct, sustainable pillar of the Maldivian economy, fostering job creation, food security, and foreign investment in the years ahead.