The Ministry of Fisheries has stated that FAD maintenance trips will begin next month.
Following the loss of the FAD deployed off R. Kandholhudhoo during recent rough weather, the island's fishermen requested the Fisheries Ministry to deploy a new FAD. When Keyolha contacted the Ministry for information regarding this, State Minister Mohamed Muttalib stated that the Ministry has received the report of the lost FAD. However, he noted that it can only be repaired or a new FAD deployed during the Ministry's specially designated trips for this purpose.
Muttalib stated that the delay in deploying and repairing FADs is due to the temporary halt in casting concrete blocks at the site office previously used by the Ministry, as a building is currently being constructed there. Instead, the work of casting concrete blocks is now being carried out at a site belonging to the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, Muttalib said.
Muttalib stated that two FAD maintenance trips are currently being planned, with the first trip heading south. The second trip, heading north, will be undertaken in late September or early October, Muttalib said.
Therefore, the issue with the R. Kandholhudhoo FAD will be resolved during the trip to the north.
