1. The Maldives, a group of about 1,200 islands, separated into a series of coral atolls, is just north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean. Only 200 of the islands are inhabited.

3. Types of Fishing Pole and line fishing – Tuna Trolling - tuna like species Long Lining- Yellow fin and Big eye tuna Hand lining – reef fish

4. RIGHTS OF THE SMALL SCALE FISHING COMMUNITIES Most of the rights are drawn from the law number: 5/85 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives) The fishing regulations which comes under the Fisheries Act also plays a vital role. Some practices are derived through tradition

5. To conserve and to have a sustainable fishery in the Maldives, there are certain types of fishing gears that cannot be used in the Maldives  Purse seining  Using nets as fishing gear except for bait and certain reef fish  Spear guns or dynamite  Toxic substances,Chlorine,sheltox,etc..

6. RIGHTS OF THE OF SMALL FISHING COMMUNITIES UNDER LAW & REGULATIONS  BAIT FISHING There are about 2000 bait fishing grounds in the Maldives, and there are no restriction laid on any of these fishing grounds for any fishermen. No foreigner or a foreign fishing vessel is allowed to do bait fishing in the Maldives. There are protected areas in the Maldives where no type of fishing is allowed, but bait fishing is allowed

7. MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVT TO CONSERVE SOME TYPES OF SPECIES It is not allowed to take big eye scad by using nets, as it will make the extinct from the area but can be taken by using pole and line methods It is Prohibited by regulation to take Sea cucumber and lobsters by using diving gears There has been a quota introduced in Live aquarium fish exports

8. POLE & LINE FISHING 45 Fishing aggregation devices (FAD) have been installed by the government to assist pole and line fishermen Hooked live bait cannot be used near these devices in a manner that it affects pole and line fishery for skipjack