India and Maldives Sign MoU to Boost Bilateral Cooperation in Fisheries and Aquaculture

India and Maldives Sign MoU to Boost Bilateral Cooperation in Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Department of Fisheries under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, India and the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources of the Maldives have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance bilateral collaboration in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture. This  MoU  is part of the 6 MOUs exchanged between India and Maldives during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s State visit to the island nation on 25th July 2025.

The partnership aims to promote sustainable tuna and deep-sea fisheries, strengthen aquaculture and sustainable resource management, foster fisheries-based eco-tourism, and support innovation and scientific research across both countries.

Key areas of collaboration outlined in the MOU include value chain development, mariculture advancement, trade facilitation, and capacity building within the fisheries sector. As a part of this initiative, the Maldives will scale up its fish processing capabilities by investing in cold storage infrastructure and strengthening the aquaculture sector through hatchery development, improved production efficiency, and the diversification of cultured species.

The MOU also will facilitate training and knowledge exchange programs, with a focus on capacity building in aquatic animal health, biosecurity screening, aquaculture farm management, and specialized technical fields such as refrigeration, mechanical engineering, and marine engineering to support long-term skills development within the sector.

This cooperation reflects the shared vision of India and Maldives to build a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable future for the fisheries industry.