All fish aggregating devices installed for fishing in Meemu have now been brought ashore and are scattered across various locations

Fishermen in Meemu Atoll have begun expressing deep concern as all three Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) used in the region have broken loose, creating significant obstacles for the local fishing industry.

All three fishing buoys deployed specifically for fishermen in Meemu Atoll are currently out of service.

According to reports, one of the three buoys in Meemu Atoll—a jigging buoy located off the coast of Veyvah—broke loose and began drifting away. Local fishermen successfully recovered the buoy and transported it to Mulah aboard a yellowfin tuna fishing vessel on June 9. However, fishermen have expressed concern that despite the buoy remaining on the island for over a month, relevant authorities have yet to take any action to reinstall it.

Furthermore, the fish aggregating device (FAD) located 12 miles off the coast of Mulah has broken loose and was subsequently recovered and transported to Male'. A third buoy near Kolhufushi has also drifted away, though its current location remains unknown. As a result, there are currently no functional FADs available for fishermen throughout the entirety of Meemu Atoll.

Regarding this issue, fishermen from Mulah and Naalaafushi have stated that the absence of a fish aggregating device (FAD) in their atoll has forced them to travel towards Thaa Atoll for fishing. They highlighted that this has resulted in significantly longer journeys and an exponential increase in fuel costs. Furthermore, the fishermen noted that these extended trips have created major challenges in sourcing ice and maintaining the freshness of their catch.

According to fishermen, the issue of these buoys breaking loose has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Fisheries on several occasions.

Fishermen stated that they have formally notified the Minister of the issue through phone calls, text messages, and written correspondence. However, the fishermen expressed deep frustration as no effective solution has been provided to date, neither for the reinstallation of the buoy brought ashore nor for the issues surrounding the other two buoys.

With fishing serving as the primary source of income for the majority of residents in Meemu Atoll, local fishermen describe the lack of such essential infrastructure as a significant hardship for their families. The fishing community is calling on the government to facilitate the urgent repair of these fish aggregating devices (FADs) and ensure their redeployment as soon as possible.

Furthermore, during the most recent press conference, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam assured that fishermen would not face any difficulties and that solutions to their problems are being provided promptly. The Minister also stated that under the current administration, ice and fuel are accessible across all atolls. However, fishermen have expressed concern over the unavailability of ice and fuel in Meemu Atoll, contradicting the Minister's claims.