This report describes the progress, achievements and learnings of a subproject which set out to give directions for the development of a fisheries extension service aimed at the artisanal fisherfolk of the Maldives. The subproject was cleared by the Government of Maldives (GOM) in December 1988 and was initiated in three target atolls - Meemu, Vaavu and Faafu - in April 1989.

The subproject focused on building awareness among the fisherfolk and began a consultative process with them that would pave the way for a community-based management of the country’s coral reef resources. The Bay of Bengal Programme’s involvement in the activities came to an end in December 1993 and the subproject was handed over to the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture (MOFA) of the Government of Maldives.

MOFA was responsible for the extension component of the subproject. The Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) provided technical assistance, expertise, training inputs, support for training and some equipment, besides monitoring the project’s progress.

The Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) is a multiagency regional fisheries programme which covers seven countries around the Bay of Bengal Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Shri Lanka and Thailand. The programme plays a catalytic and consultative role: it develops, demonstrates and promotes new technologies, methodologies and ideas to help improve the conditions of small-scale fisherfolk communities in member countries. The BOBP is sponsored by the governments of Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom, and also by UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). The main executing agency is the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).