|
Fishing
is not only the lifeblood of the Maldivian economy; it is also a
popular pastime among locals as well as visitors. Maldivians enjoy a
variety of different types of fishing. The most popular among these in
night fishing. The boat leaves the island and anchors at a reef before
the sunsets and darkness sets in. the lines are tethered with hooks and
sinkers and dropped overboard from both sides of the dhoni. If the
fishing is good it gives a lot of excitements to everyone. If not it
gives you an excellent opportunity to relax under the night sky as the
boat gently rocks with the waves.
Morning fishing
or big game fishing involves trolling, usually outside the atoll along
the reef. Fishing enthusiasts may prefer to bring their own equipment
if they wish to experience the excitement during their visit.Almost all
the resorts organize night fishing trips at least once a week. Big game
fishing or morning fishing, if not included in the resorts weekly
program, may be organized on request.
Fishing
provides a sizeable proportion of the gross domestic product and job
opportunities for the vast majority of the island population. With
abundant sea resources, fish exports continue to grow. Multinational
companies have shown a renewed interest in the Maldives fishing
industry. Tons of fish are used domestically and not surprisingly, fish
is the main source of protein for the inhabitants of the archipelago.
The
State Trading Organisation had played a significant role in rebuilding
the tuna cannery in the island of Felivaru. This new plant fully
optimises the sea’s natural resources. The operation is truly a "boat
to cannery" process with abundant fresh tuna caught and processed. This
whole canning process takes only four days. A sophisticated quality
control laboratory finds technicians and scientists using the latest
equipment for research and quality control. The workers have modern,
comfortable living quarters in one of the most beautiful islands in the
Maldives. Felivaru can boast of being the coldest place in all of the
Maldives with an ice plant and cold storage installation which
maintains a temperature of minus 25 degrees centigrade.
Tuna
waste and residues are processed on location into fishmeal, an animal
food supplement. The product provides an additional export and boosts
the economy. Workers learn skills by using modern techniques and local
fishermen have a ready market for their bountiful catches.
As
with fishing boatbuilding has been a craft native to the Maldives.
Projects for protecting and maintaining this skill have been organized
on a grand scale. Boatbulding training for young apprentices by expert
carpenters is fully organized. The main site if boatbuilding is in Alifushi Raa Atoll. Boats crafted from timber take only 60 days to
complete. With improved mechanization of fishing vessels better fuel
distribution, and the increased demand for the product, President Gayoom’s words ring true.
"Fishing is the
lifeblood of our nation it is inborn. From the soil on which we live,
to the sea around us, it remains an integral part of our existence.
Fishing, and our country and its people, ate one and shall remain
inseparable forever."
|
