LIFE IN THE MALDIVES

Fishing is the lifeline of the Maldives, for centuries it has been the livelihood of people, it has - and still does - determine the rhythm of life.
Fishermen spend 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. Then they travel for a few hours or for how long it takes to detect a school of tuna, 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.

Methods
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 Keolhus, Dhoni Captains, juggling three fish at the same time with his pole.

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. Unauthorised 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.

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.