Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture has stated private parties are not allowed to use Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). The fisheries ministry stated it has received reports of private parties violating regulations by using their own personal FADs.
Only parties authorised by the fisheries ministry are allowed to install FADs in the Maldives, according to the fisheries regulations. The fisheries ministry stated the use of FADs is controlled in order to prevent the negative effects of the overuse of such devices, such as damage to the local and global marine ecosystem. The ministry warned that unauthorised parties caught using FADs will be penalised.
FADs were first installed in the Maldivian waters in 1980 with the aim to increase the yield in the industry. The project has reduced the financial cost of catching fish and many benefits have been brought to the fisheries industry of the Maldives.
Additionally, the fisheries regulation bans the use of FADs anchored to boats as well as fishing within three miles of such devices.