Land reclamation and harbour development have officially begun in Gaafu Dhaalu Fiyoaree, marking the launch of a large-scale fisheries infrastructure project aimed at expanding fish processing and value-addition capacity in the southern Maldives.
The commencement of works was formally inaugurated at a ceremony in Fiyoaree by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, with several senior government officials in attendance. Among those present were Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib, and Faresmaathodaa constituency Member of Parliament Ashraf Rasheed, alongside officials from relevant agencies.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources stated that the project involves the reclamation of 6.5 hectares of land, which will be used to develop a modern fish processing complex designed to significantly enhance national processing capacity.
Key components of the facility include a cold storage unit capable of holding 3,000 metric tonnes of fish, an increase from the initially planned 1,500-tonne capacity. The development will also feature a fish canning factory with the ability to process 100 tonnes per day, as well as a fishmeal plant with a similar daily capacity. According to the ministry, the first phase of construction is expected to be completed within 420 days.
An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreement for the project was signed with a Chinese contractor in April 2025. Once fully operational, the facility is projected to process and package up to 81,000 tonnes of fish annually within the Maldives, reducing dependence on overseas processing and strengthening domestic fisheries infrastructure.
Authorities say the project is expected to play a key role in regional economic development, generate new employment opportunities, and improve income prospects for local fishermen, while supporting the long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector across the atoll.
