Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture has inaugurated a mariculture training programme to mark World Oceans Day.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Fisheries Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan highlighted the importance of protecting the coral reefs while carrying out development projects. As such, the minister said the government is working to establish means to sustainably use ocean resources and that the skills of the participants who complete the programme will be needed in these efforts.
Also at the ceremony, Director General of the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI) Shafiya Naeem said that it was important to develop all sectors including tourism and the fisheries sector. She said mariculture was introduced because the Maldives has an optimum environment to establish a world-class mariculture industry. She added the training programme is the first phase and that accredited courses will be available in the near future.
The purpose of the programme is to train individuals that can build a profitable mariculture industry in the Maldives. The training programme is being conducted by MMRI at the training centre in Maniyafushi, Kaafu Atoll, under the Sustainable Fisheries Resources Development Project, which is financed by the World Bank.
The participants of the training programme consist of 15 residents of Filladhoo in Haa Alifu Atoll, Omadhoo in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Veyvah in Meemu Atoll, Dharanboodhoo in Faafu Atoll, and Vandhoo in Thaa Atoll. They will be participating in a basic mariculture course during the eight-day programme.