As part of the efforts to develop mariculture as a distinct industry in the Maldives, it has been decided to lease uninhabited islands, lagoons, and deep pools located in designated mariculture zones on a long-term basis and open them for bidding.
In an announcement published yesterday by the Fisheries Ministry regarding this matter, it stated that uninhabited islands and their lagoons and reefs are being opened for bidding to be leased for the development, operation, and management of aquaculture activities.
Details of islands, lagoons, and deep pools opened for bidding:
R. Maadoonifaru (987 hectare shallow lagoon, 285.87 hectare deep pool)
R. Dhihufaru (952 hectare shallow lagoon, 317.17 hectare deep pool)
R. Fasgandufaru (0.49 hectare uninhabited island, 177 hectare shallow lagoon, 69.69 hectare deep pool)
M. Vannaneru Fasgandu (0.44 hectare)
M. Atoll, Dhiththundifalhu (287.42 hectare deep pool, 250 hectare shallow lagoon)
Th. Atoll (5 hectare deep pool, 600 hectare shallow lagoon)
The islands leased for aquaculture development will initially be leased for a period of twenty-one years. However, in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the laws of the Maldives, there is an opportunity to extend this period, but the total duration cannot exceed 50 years, according to the Fisheries Ministry's announcement. The islands are leased at a rate of 10 laari per square foot per year.
Isolated deep pools are leased for a period of 50 years. The deep pools are leased at a rate of 5 laari per square foot of the leased deep pool per year.
Parties submitting bids for the uninhabited islands, lagoons, and isolated deep pools designated for leasing must personally inspect and research these locations. If a bidding party wishes to conduct such research, they must obtain a visiting permit issued by the Ministry. The Ministry stated that a bid will not be invalidated even if research is not conducted on the island or lagoon submitted for bidding.
Parties interested in submitting bids must do so before 13:00 on November 6. Each party can submit one bid. Bids can also be submitted as a joint venture. The bid conditions can be viewed in the announcement. The Fisheries Ministry stated that the bids will be opened in the presence of all bidding parties.
