The third batch of the Basic Mariculture Training Programme for 2026 has commenced at the Maniyafushi Research and Training Facility, with 15 participants enrolled in the 14-day course aimed at strengthening local expertise and promoting sustainable aquaculture in the Maldives.
Conducted under the Marine Hatchery Skills Development Programme, the training includes theoretical and practical instruction in mariculture techniques, live feed production, disease prevention and management, and environmentally responsible farming practices.
Participants will also gain hands-on experience in cultivating oysters, sea cucumbers and giant clams, alongside learning about aquaculture systems and the production of seaweed.
The programme aims to develop Maldivians’ skills in mariculture and support the sustainable growth of the country’s aquaculture industry. One woman is among the 15 participants in the latest batch.
The Government has increased the annual number of training programmes in the sector from two to four, starting this year, to expand opportunities for local skills development.
The current batch is the seventh programme conducted under the initiative. Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has said that 76 people have been trained through the programme to date.