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FISHING
Sunrise paints the skies with tints of rose and
gold. Darker blues of early daylight silhouette
the Dhoni . Nets are flung out Whether with
trap, seines, hand or trawl lines as fishing is
the mainstay of the traditional island life.
Outside the atolls massive tuna catches, sharks,
marlin, sailfish, and the famous Maldive
skipjack are easily netted. Skipjack, both dried
and frozen is famous Maldivian product. Known as
"Maldive Fish" and is the main export of the
country.
Nearing sunset, the shores of most islands
become crowded, especially at the market area of
Marine Drive, Male’. The fishermen are returning
from the Indian Ocean waters, the only great sea
whose currents reverse directions with the
season. Rainbows of colorful fish are passed
from dhonis to shore. For a moment light breaks
through evening clouds, revealing a white tailed
tropical bird perched on the rim of an old
fishing vessel, riding waves made by the
onslaught of the returning boats.
The market place is alive with activity. Office
workers in white shirts and ties ride away
guiding bicycles with one and holding skipjack
in the other. Trolleys loaded with fresh tuna or
skipjack move door to door sales. Newspaper
lines the boot cars whose drivers have stopped
off to make a seafood selection.
Fishing provides a sizeable proportion of the
gross domestic product and job opportunities for
the vast majority of the island population. With
abundant sea resources, fish exports continue to
grow. Multinational companies have shown a
renewed interest in the Maldives fishing
industry. Tons of fish are used domestically and
not surprisingly, fish is the main source of
protein for the inhabitants of the archipelago.
The State Trading Organization had played a
significant role in rebuilding the tuna cannery
in the island of Felivaru. This new plant fully
optimizes the sea’s natural resources. The
operation is truly a "boat to cannery" process
with abundant fresh tuna caught and processed.
This whole canning process takes only four days.
A sophisticated quality control laboratory finds
technicians and scientists using the latest
equipment for research and quality control. The
workers have modern, comfortable living quarters
in one of the most beautiful islands in the
Maldives. Felivaru can boast of being the
coldest place in all of the Maldives with an ice
plant and cold storage installation which
maintains a temperature of minus 25 degrees
centigrade.
Tuna waste and residues are processed on
location into fishmeal, an animal food
supplement. The product provides an additional
export and boosts the economy. Workers learn
skills by using modern techniques and local
fishermen have a ready market for their
bountiful catches.
As with fishing boatbuilding has been a craft
native to the Maldives. Projects for protecting
and maintaining this skill have been organized
on a grand scale. Boatbuilding training for
young apprentices by expert carpenters is fully
organized. The main site if boatbuilding is in
Alifushi Raa Atoll. Boats crafted from timber
take only 60 days to complete. With improved
mechanization of fishing vessels better fuel
distribution, and the increased demand for the
product, President Gayoom’s words ring true.
"Fishing is the lifeblood of our nation it is
inborn. From the soil on which we live, to the
sea around us, it remains an integral part of
our existence. Fishing, and our country and its
people, ate one and shall remain inseparable
forever."
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Design & Develop by shareef |
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