China prepares to install devices on fish aggregating devices in the ocean

Discussions are evidently underway between the incumbent administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the government of China to install devices on fish aggregating devices (FADs) placed in the ocean for the convenience of fishermen.

RaajjeMV has learned of this development through a reliable source.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a government official revealed that it is known that China has proposed to install these devices for research in Maldivian waters.

At a time the Maldivian fishing industry has reached an all-time low, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has met with a senior team from China's Second Institute of Oceanography.

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam meets with officials of China's Second Institute of Oceanography

Taking to social media platform ‘X’ following the meeting, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources revealed that discussions revolved around ways to further strengthen relations between the two parties.

Officials from the Second Institute also met with officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment as well as the Meteorology department.

While the government has not disclosed details of these meetings, it has only stated that opportunities for collaborative research were discussed.

It is understood that the Second Institute has proposed to the government to install devices on FADs, in these meetings.

While the government has not disclosed any information about the devices to be installed, it is understood that the devices installed on FADs in the ocean will collect chemical and physical information of the sea in addition to detecting fish movements.

The government official who spoke to RaajjeMV on the condition of anonymity revealed that China is currently working with the Meteorology department to obtain the necessary permits for the work.

Although the Maldives is a pole and line fishing country, China is a country that has advanced greatly in fishing with large vessels using nets.

As net fishing vessels operate farther out than where Maldivian fishermen fish, information on the routes and seasons of fish migration is noted to be extremely valuable information for such vessels.

While the Maldivian fishing industry has declined significantly and income from the fishing industry has also plummeted markedly, some studies conducted by tagging pelagic fish have shown that the number of fish of the size commonly caught by Maldivian fishermen entering Maldivian waters has decreased significantly, according to an expert in the field.

The government official who spoke to RaajjeMV on the condition of anonymity revealed that the information obtained in China's research will be with them, that the full truth of it will not be known, that the Maldives will only get the information they provide and that their equipment and technical people will be leading this.

Reports have also surfaced about the possibility of installing espionage devices under another agreement China has made with the incumbent administration.

Another agreement was signed between the South China Sea Institute of Oceanography and the Maldives Environmental Protection Agency on 19 February 2025. The agreement is also understood to be for conducting marine research.

A Chinese research vessel; Xiang Yang Hong 03 traveled and docked in Maldivian waters for about a month starting from January 2024.

It is noted that the current administration, which came to power promising there would be nothing to hide, does not disclose adequate information about such agreements.

When China's 4,300-ton research/survey vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 was operating in the Indian Ocean region, India expressed great concern and said it would monitor the vessel.

The vessel also belongs to China's Third Institute of Oceanography, which recently met with Maldivian officials. Reports have stated that the research conducted by the vessel includes mapping the seabed and identifying mineral resources.

Indian Navy officials told Indian media outlets at the time that seabed mapping is military information that could be used for submarine operations. The government of Maldives has said that this vessel will not conduct any research in Maldivian waters and is only docking to load necessary supplies.

It is noted that India's concerns are not limited to just the Maldives’ region. As the entire Indian Ocean region is politically and militarily important, India is paying very close attention to such activities carried out in the region.

Earlier, President Muizzu asserted that discovering the wealth of Maldivian waters is a right of Maldivians and a national duty of the people of the island nation.