The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has organised the Maldives’ first dedicated workshop on recreational fishing, bringing together 60 fishermen from across the country to discuss the future of sport fishing in the nation.
The workshop, titled “Masveringe Gunzaru”, was designed for individuals involved in recreational and sport fishing. According to the Ministry, the primary aim was to promote recreational fishing sustainably, while addressing the challenges faced by the fishing community and exploring ways to overcome them.
Participants engaged in discussions on how to further develop the sector, sharing their ideas and concerns directly with policy-makers. The event also served as a platform to gather community feedback and incorporate it into future planning and decision-making.
މުނިފޫހިފިލުވުމުގެ ގޮތުން ކުރާ މަސްވެރިކަމުގައި ހަރަކާތްތެރިވާ ފަރާތްތަކަށް އަމާޒުކޮށްގެން ބޭއްވުނު މަސައްކަތު ބައްދަލުވުން ވަނީ ކާމިޔާބުކަމާއިއެކު ނިންމާލެވިފައި.
މި ބައްދަލުވުމަކީ މި މިނިސްޓްރީ އާއި، ވޯރލްޑް ބޭންކުގެ އެހީގައި މި މިނިސްޓްރީން ކުރިއަށް ގެންދާ ޓްރާންސްފޯމިންގ… pic.twitter.com/T589TIE46F
— Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (@MFORmv) July 7, 2025
The Ministry highlighted that this was the first government-led workshop specifically targeting the recreational fishing community. Plans are already underway to host similar events in the future to strengthen collaboration between the state and recreational fishers.
Public interest in the workshop was strong, with 216 applications received from across the country. To ensure fair representation, 60 participants were selected from all atolls.
Recreational fishing is growing in popularity, particularly among Maldivian youth. As part of its fisheries diversification strategy, the government has identified five locations for the development of sports fishing harbours. These harbours will be equipped with fish stalls, administrative offices for managing tournaments, restaurants, cafes, as well as designated fishing and barbecue areas.
The government’s broader efforts aim to expand opportunities in sport fishing and reef fishing as part of its economic diversification strategy, creating new income streams and boosting local economic activity.