The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources has said one of the most significant changes to the law governing uninhabited islands will allow different fisheries-related businesses to operate in an integrated manner on leased islands.
Under the previous framework, the Ministry faced considerable difficulty in securing areas of the sea and lagoons for such activities, while the law restricted the use of an island to a specific designated activity. The amendments will now allow a designated activity to take place on an island while also enabling its lagoon to be leased for additional economic activities.
State Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Mohamed Naif said the amendments would provide significantly greater flexibility in leasing uninhabited islands and lagoons for activities within the fisheries industry.
He explained that agricultural activities could not previously be carried out on an island leased for mariculture. In contrast, mariculture activities could not be carried out on an island leased for agriculture. The amendments will remove these restrictions.
State Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Mohamed Muthalib said the changes would also address difficulties in leasing uninhabited islands, lagoons and parts of lagoons for fisheries-related sectors. He said the amendments would provide significant flexibility, particularly in developing the mariculture sector.
Alongside the country's existing skipjack and yellowfin tuna fisheries, State Minister Muthalib said expanding mariculture would be one of the most beneficial ways for the Maldives to make better use of its marine resources.
He said the industry would make a significant contribution to food security and that the changes would support the establishment of a mariculture industry. Greater flexibility in leasing lagoons and areas of the sea would also be an important step towards expanding the sector.
Under the law, fisheries-related sectors include fishing and related activities, aquaculture and related activities, the development of fisheries-related infrastructure, and the operation of facilities.
Diversifying the economy through the use of marine resources is an important Government objective. To support the sector, programmes are being implemented to provide relevant training, resources and financial assistance.