The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has deployed a new Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) for sport fishing, located six nautical miles west of Dhaalu Maadheli.

The device, marked with identification number K08V02, is the second sport fishing FAD installed in Dhaalu Atoll this year.

An earlier device was deployed in January, 5.5 nautical miles east of Meedhoo, under the identification number K09V02. Both installations are part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to expand and support sport fishing across the Maldives.

FADs are floating structures used to attract fish and support local fishing activities. In the Maldives, two main types of FADs are used: Dhoshi Kandhufathi, which attracts skipjack tuna for pole-and-line fishing, and Vadhu Kandhufathi, designed specifically for sport fishing.

To date, 65 FADs have been installed nationwide for tuna fishing and 26 for sport fishing. Sport fishing FADs are painted yellow for easy identification and are typically installed three to six nautical miles from inhabited islands.

In addition to new installations, the Ministry is also repairing existing and damaged FADs to ensure continuity of fishing activities.

Currently, the Maldives has only one dedicated FAD centre, located in Hulhumalé. However, due to growing demand, the Government is working to establish additional FAD centres in Shaviyani Funadhoo and Addu City, expanding support to the northern and southern regions of the country.