The Maldives has launched its fourth Basic Mariculture Training Course of the year in K. Maaniyafushi, as the government steps up efforts to develop local expertise in marine aquaculture.

The program is conducted by the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources under its Marine Hatchery Skills Development Program.

Organized by the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI), the training is taking place at the institute’s Research and Training Facility in Maaniyafushi. It is supported by a World Bank-funded transformation project aimed at building the skills needed to establish a sustainable marine aquaculture industry in the Maldives.

The program forms part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration’s Week 14 roadmap, which identifies aquaculture development as a priority area.

The government is focusing on establishing hatcheries for fish breeding and equipping young people with the technical skills required to expand the sector.

Participants will learn how to operate and maintain aquaculture systems, cultivate live feed, and breed species including fanha and huifilandha, as well as Maldivian grouper and other marine species. The course also covers seaweed cultivation, disease identification and prevention, and environmentally sustainable aquaculture practices.

In addition to theoretical instruction, participants will gain practical experience in breeding and cultivating selected marine species.

The initiative aims to develop a skilled local workforce, strengthen sustainable aquaculture production and support the long-term growth of the Maldives’ marine aquaculture industry.