A technical workshop on fisheries and the utilisation of marine resources in the Maldives has commenced in collaboration with Hainan University of China and the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources.
More than 50 participants, including representatives from various institutions and school students, are taking part in the workshop.
The “Technical training programme on fisheries and blue economy” workshop will take place during 21-22 of this month. The programme would center on the utilisation of marine resources. The program would also shed light onto how to preserve aquatic life in the effects of climate change in tropical aquaculture, restoring damaged coral reefs, as well as the understanding of the damages inflicted by climate change. The sessions will be taken by the technical experts of Hainan University of China.
The opening ceremony of the sessions of the workshop was addressed by the Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam. The Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Kong Xianhua also attended the ceremony.
During the opening ceremony the fisheries minister noted that the training sessions can help to further strengthen ties between China and the Maldives. The minister acknowledged the importance of the blue economy to the livelihoods of Maldivians.
Minister Shiyam noted that the development and improvement of the blue economy is one of the priorities of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and the workshop would aid to further develop the industry in the Maldives. The minister noted that MOUs in the fisheries sector were signed between China and the Maldives during the President's state visit to China, noting that the ongoing workshop is in part of the agreements made between the two countries.
In his address to all the participants of the workshop, he encouraged the participants to share their finds as well as ask questions during the workshop. He stated that the problems that are being faced cannot be solved under the guise of on sector.
The Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Kong Xianhua acknowledged during the opening ceremony that fisheries is an import industry to the Maldives and that China is ready to assist the Maldives in further advancing the field. He stated that holding workshops is a step in the direction of the agreement signed between Maldives and China. Ambassador Kong stated that China is ready to share their findings and research with the Maldives, and ready to help the Maldives broaden their market for its fish products, stating that these are steps that could be taken to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries. The ambassador concluded by stating that the shared goal of the two countries is to advance the Maldives’s blue economy and increase the shares of the Maldivian economy.
The two-day workshop would be attended by 51 participants from the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, Maldives Marine Research Institute, Maldives National University, Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO), the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, The Environmental Regulatory Authority, and Villa International Highschool.
Arrangements have also been made for the members of Hainan University to conduct research on mariculture at Maniyafushi, Kaafu Atoll under the directive of the Fisheries Ministry. The Fisheries Ministry noted that the aim of the trip is to further enhance the bilateral relations between China and Maldives under the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (2024-2028).