The Government of the Maldives is modernizing its statutory framework to foster a secure, competitive environment for commercial marine farming, with critical legislative amendments currently under parliamentary review.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Maniyafushi Research and Training Facility, Ahmed Shiyam, the Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources emphasized that establishing mariculture as a viable economic pillar requires robust legal protections alongside workforce capacity building.
"In developing mariculture as an industry in the Maldives, in addition to building human capacity, an enabling environment must also be present. Furthermore, relevant laws must be reformed to facilitate mariculture operations."
— The Minister stated.
Highlighting the legislative reforms submitted to the People's Majlis, the Minister noted that these legal protections are vital for providing regulatory certainty to commercial operators and investors.
"Currently before the Majlis, there are amendments to two key laws to facilitate mariculture in the Maldives. Among these are amendments to the Fisheries Act, alongside an even broader, new bill submitted regarding uninhabited islands and lagoons. While that law exists today, its transformation will create an enabling environment under Maldivian law for operators and investments in the mariculture industry, ensuring our legal framework is fully realized, God willing."
— The Minister highlighted.
The Minister added that the state aims to offer regulatory protections and ease of doing business superior to regional and global competitors. These updated statutes are intended to provide the legal backing required for entrepreneurs and investors to commercially scale lagoon and open-water aquaculture ventures in the Maldives.
