TRADITIONAL FISHING

Traditional fishing (for fishes like the skipjack, tuna and bonito) is the lifeline of the Maldives. For centuries it has been the biggest part of the livelihood of Maldivian people. It has - and still does - determine the rhythm of life in the Maldives.

With over 99 percent of the total area of the Maldives consisting of water, the country boasts some of the best fishing grounds in the world. The fish stock of the Maldives include over a thousand species, some of which are indigenous to the Maldives.

Fishermen spend virtually the whole day at sea starting at dawn in the morning, catching baitfish with nets, which are kept alive in water inside the boat’s hull. After catching baitfish they travel for a few hours, or for how long it takes to detect a school of fish, usually indicated by birds circling in the sky. Earlier fishermen never lost sight of their island to ensure a safe return, now modern navigational aids allow them to go far beyond.

The bait is squeezed and thrown into the water by hand, pumps spray water towards the wriggling baitfish thus tricking the tuna into a feeding frenzy. Poles and lines with a smooth hook resembling a baitfish are quickly cast into the sea and with a strong pull and twist the fish is thrown into the dhoni. It is not rare to see keyolhus (dhoni captains), juggling three fish at the same time with his pole.

FISHING FOR PLEASURE

The methods of fishing for pleasure vary depending on the type of fish that you want to catch and the time of the day that you prefer. The most popular fishing with visitors is night fishing for groupers, snappers, emperors, jacks, squirrel fish, barracuda and other reef fish. The catch normally ends on the barbecue grill on the beach and guests are able to enjoy their own catch with great savor.

Morning fishing begins by dawn. These fishing trips, in the early hours of the morning by dhoni inside the atoll or just outside the atoll are for little tuna, dolphin fish, rainbow runner, jack, trevally and barracuda. These too sometimes become as engaging as big game fishing.

Traditionally Maldivians, as masters of the sea, used small dhonis and trawled outside the atoll enclosure reef for big game such as sailfish, swordfish, marlin, wahoo, barracuda, yellowfin tuna and other game. However modern speedboats equipped for western style big game fishing are also available now for hire in many resorts.

Since the Maldives practices a strong conservation policy, the use of harpoon guns and hunting of marine mammals such as whales and dolphins and large fishes like the whale shark is strictly prohibited.

All resorts provide facilities for big game fishing. You don’t have to be expert in fishing, the crew of the boats are very adapt at the art of fishing and will advice you on all aspects of making a good and fun catch.

Markets
Fish is frozen, dried, smoked, canned, and exported to countries, such as Sri Lanka, Japan, Thailand and U.K.

The 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone has been established to make the best use of fishing and protect Maldives' fishing grounds. Unauthorized foreign vessels when caught are heavily fined or confiscated for fishing illegally or using nets. Fish is omnipresent in the Maldives - you can see it, smell it and taste it and students in school learn about it in Fisheries’ Science.

A visit to the fish market in Malé is always an experience not to be missed.