Aquatic Biosecurity Training Program Commences

An aquatic biosecurity training program has begun in the Maldives today.

The two-day program, titled "Training on Biosecurity for Import and Export of Living Marine Organisms, Marine Animals and their Products in the Maldives", is conducted under the World Bank-assisted Maldives – Transforming Fisheries Sector Management in the South-West Indian Ocean Region and Maldives Project.

According to the Fisheries Ministry, the training will facilitate discussions among key stakeholders involved in border control, regulation, surveillance, and environmental protection on safely managing biosecurity risks associated with the transport of marine and terrestrial living organisms. Discussions will cover diseases affecting fish and animals, diseases that pose risks to human health, as well as disease detection, reporting, and response mechanisms.

Participants in the training program include officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Maldives Marine Research Institute, Maldives Customs Service, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Environmental Regulatory Authority, Maldives Airports Company Limited, Maldives Ports Limited, Maldives Food and Drug Authority, and the Health Protection Agency.