The GA. Dhaandhoo Local Council has officially opened bidding for island residents to lease dedicated lagoon plots for commercial seaweed cultivation and mariculture, according to a public announcement by the Council.
The opportunity is exclusively available to registered residents of Dhaandhoo under the council's regulation governing the lease, management, and fee collection for ocean, reef, and lagoon zones within the island’s jurisdiction.
Under this rollout, the Council is leasing four distinct blocks across two lagoon areas:
Kanda and Vodamula Zone: Two blocks of 15,000 square feet each
Northern Lagoon Zone: Two blocks of 15,000 square feet each
According to the Council, plots will be awarded for a maximum period of five years (60 months). To encourage local enterprise development, a 12-month grace period will apply, during which no rent will be collected. Consequently, rental payments will only be payable over the remaining 48 months.
The Council has set a baseline starting rent of MVR 0.50 (50 laari) per square foot per month, with applicants permitted to submit higher competitive bids. Bid evaluation will allocate 85% of the score to proposed rent, 5% to the business plan, and 10% to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments.
Registration for the bidding process is free of charge and can be submitted online via portal or formal letter prior to the deadline on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
An information session will take place online and at the council office on October 26 at 2:00 PM, while final bid submission and opening will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Dhaandhoo Council Conference Hall.
