The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources has opened registration for a nationwide reef fishing tournament to mark World Oceans Day, inviting participants from islands across the Maldives to take part in the event.
The tournament is scheduled to be held on June 19 and forms part of a series of activities organized to highlight the importance of ocean conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources.
According to the Ministry, teams from all inhabited islands are eligible to participate. However, participation from Malé City will be limited due to capacity constraints, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 20 eligible teams from the Greater Malé area to submit their applications will secure a spot in the competition.
Interested participants have until 2:00 PM on June 17, 2026, to submit their applications through the Ministry’s online registration portal.
Cash Prizes on Offer
The tournament will feature attractive cash rewards for the top-performing teams. The winning team will receive MVR 30,000, while the second and third-place teams will be awarded MVR 25,000 and MVR 20,000 respectively.
In addition, organizers have announced a special prize of MVR 5,000 for the participant who catches the heaviest fish during the competition.
Celebrating the Ocean Nation
This year’s World Oceans Day is being observed under the theme: “Reimagine: Beyond the World We Know, a New Relationship with Our Ocean.”
The theme encourages communities, industries, and governments to rethink their relationship with the ocean and explore new ways of protecting marine ecosystems while benefiting from their resources responsibly.
For the Maldives, the message carries particular significance. As one of the world’s most ocean-dependent nations, with approximately 99 percent of its territory consisting of the sea, the country’s economy, food security, transportation network, and tourism industry are all closely linked to the health of its marine environment.
The government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of balancing economic development with marine conservation, while promoting sustainable fisheries and responsible ocean stewardship.
Annual Observance
World Oceans Day is commemorated globally each year on June 8, and the Maldives regularly marks the occasion through awareness campaigns, educational programs, environmental initiatives, and community events focused on marine protection.
The Fisheries Ministry said additional information regarding the reef fishing tournament can be obtained by contacting 3339225 or 3339272.
