Nilandhoo Fish Factory Land Reclamation Nears Completion to Boost Fisheries Capacity

Land reclamation for a new fish canning factory on the northern coast of Nilandhoo in Faafu Atoll is nearing completion, signaling a major expansion of the Maldives' industrial fisheries capacity. Local officials report that approximately 80 percent of the seven-hectare reclamation project is now finished. The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) began work on the infrastructure in March, managing both the land reclamation and the construction of a new harbour. According to Ali Ahmed, President of the Nilandhoo Council, the installation of the revetment wall and harbour development are proceeding simultaneously with the reclamation efforts. Ahmed noted that the project was an unanticipated economic boost for the region and confirmed that subsequent stages of development will begin as the initial phases wrap up. Once the facility is fully operational, the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources estimates it will process and can 50 tonnes of fish daily. To support this output, the project includes the construction of a 1,500-metric-tonne cold storage facility, ensuring a stable supply chain and reducing waste. This initiative is part of a broader government strategy to increase the nation's fish canning capacity. By shifting from raw exports to processed goods, the administration aims to add more value to the fisheries sector, creating local jobs and strengthening the economic resilience of island communities. The project represents a strategic move to decentralize industrial growth, bringing high-capacity processing facilities to the atolls and reducing the reliance on centralized hubs in the capital region.