The first fish aggregating device (FAD) built under a new design will be deployed next month, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said.

Responding to questions from Members of Parliament, Minister Shiyam said the Government installed 44 FADs last year, bringing the total number deployed under the current Administration to 99.

He said work is also underway to establish a network of offshore FADs, while a dedicated FAD has already been deployed for black marlin fishing. The offshore FAD network is expected to be completed by February next year.

Minister Shiyam noted that the FADs currently used in the Maldives are based on a design that is around 40 years old. He said the Government had decided to introduce a new design to address issues with FADs being damaged.

The first FAD using the redesigned structure will be deployed next month, he said.

The minister said the redesign forms part of broader efforts launched since the current Government took office to improve the country's FAD network. He added that the new design would be introduced in phases under a planned deployment programme.

Fish aggregating devices play an important role in improving fishing efficiency, increasing catch volumes, and making fishing operations easier for fishermen. While fishermen have consistently called for more FADs to be installed, meeting demand has remained a challenge.

The Government has identified expanding the country's FAD network as a key fisheries policy to benefit both offshore and reef fisheries.

Of the 99 FADs installed under the current Administration, 47 are dedicated to black marlin fishing, while the remaining 52 are offshore FADs, which are also used for sport fishing in the Maldives.