The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has announced that a major fisheries development project—the construction of a state-of-the-art canning factory in Fiyoaree, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll—will be completed and fully operational by next year’s Fishermen’s Day.
Dredging and harbour expansion work, crucial to facilitating the factory’s infrastructure, commenced last month and is expected to be finalised within six months.
Speaking on PSM News’ Raajje Miadhu programme, the Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Mohamed Muthalib confirmed that an agreement has been signed with a Chinese company to develop the facility, with construction set to begin immediately after the completion of dredging.
The project, which will span 6.5 hectares, now includes a significantly expanded 3,000 metric tonne cold storage facility—up from the initially planned 1,500 tonnes—alongside a 100-tonne-per-day tuna canning plant and a 100-tonne-per-day fish meal processing unit.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the southern atolls in skipjack tuna fisheries—where 60 percent of the national catch is sourced—State Minister Muthalib emphasised that the initiative aims to directly benefit local fishermen by reducing post-harvest losses and improving market access.
The Ministry stated that the project will not only uplift fishing families in Fiyoaree but also drive broader economic growth and regional development across the atoll.
This initiative is part of a nationwide effort to modernise the fisheries sector, including plans to increase the country’s total cold storage capacity from 9,500 to 25,000 metric tonnes, with new facilities already underway on four islands.