Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has underscored the importance of female participation in the mariculture industry, stating that the field should not be considered exclusive to men.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Marine Hatchery Skills Development Programme held on May 8, Minister Shiyam said developing mariculture as a separate industry is a key priority for the Government, with strong backing from the President. He noted that special focus is being placed on training individuals to meet the growing demands of the sector.

The Minister emphasised that mariculture holds great potential to create income and employment opportunities across the atolls while supporting efforts to diversify the national economy. He pointed out that multiple training initiatives are already underway to build local expertise in hatchery management and aquaculture.

He praised the participation of a female trainee among the 15 individuals who completed the latest round of training, calling it a positive step towards gender inclusion in the sector. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to encouraging more women to take part in mariculture-related work.

The Marine Hatchery Skills Development Programme, organised bi-annually by the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, concluded its first training session of the year on May 8 in Maniyafushi, Kaafu Atoll. This round included participants from nine regions across the Maldives, who received practical instruction in hatchery establishment and aquaculture techniques.