The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has announced plans to begin construction of the Kandhufathi, a Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Centre, in Shaviyani Funadhoo before December. Once completed, it will be the second such facility in the Maldives.

Located in the northern region, the Funadhoo centre forms part of the Government’s strategy to develop FAD manufacturing capabilities in both the north and south. The Funadhoo Island Council has allocated 10,000 square feet of land free of rent or time limits, allowing construction to begin promptly.

It will also be the first FAD manufacturing centre established outside the capital. According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, all necessary administrative work has been completed. The project is in its final stages, with bidding set to open and construction to follow shortly.

At present, the Maldives has only one FAD manufacturing centre, located in Hulhumalé, developed with technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). However, the facility has struggled to meet growing national demand for FADs.

In response, the Government plans to establish additional centres to improve production capacity. The Ministry stated that expanding facilities in both regions will significantly boost the country’s ability to manufacture and deploy FADs.

As part of the southern expansion, the Ministry is identifying a suitable location for a new centre. While four islands have been shortlisted, no final decision has been made.

According to the Ministry, the Maldives currently maintains 75 Dhoshi Kandhufathi and 41 Vadhu Kandhufathi.