The Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture has begun placing special Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) for trolling and sports fishing.
The FADs are being placed in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Fuvahmulah City, and Addu City under the Sports and Trolling Fishing Programme. One FAD will be placed for pole-and-line fishing near Villingili, Addu, while four FADs for trolling will be placed near Maamendhoo in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Fuvahmulah, and Hulhumeedhoo and Gan in Addu.
The programme aims to provide more revenue sources for citizens by facilitating fishing to generate an income and recreational sports fishing which is becoming popular in the guesthouse industry. The ministry expects the FADs to allow residents to practice sustainable fishing while residing on their islands.
The FADs used for trolling are placed three to six miles outside of nearby islands and have long-range lights and radar reflectors and are painted yellow to distinguish them from other FADs. The ministry plans to place more FADs under the Sports and Trolling Fishing programme.