This paper discusses the aims, methodology and findings of the project “Exploratory tuna fishing in the Maldives” TCP/MDV/6651(1). It was established in 1987 as part of a TCP (technical cooperation) agreement between the FAO and the Government of Maldives. The project was completed in December 1988.

The project was executed by the Marine Research Station of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries with some support from the BOBP (Bay of Bengal Programme for Fisheries Development).

Under the project, exploratory surveys were carried out by the vessel Matha Hari. Despite limited fishing operations, useful information was obtained on the status of pelagic fish stocks, and on the feasibility of operating multi-day gillnet-cum-longline offshore fishing trips Data were also obtained on offshore tuna and sharks.

The BOBP is a regional fisheries programme that covers seven countries around the Bay of Bengal - Bangladesh,-India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It strives for the socio-economic betterment of small scale fisherfolk communities in the region by developing, demonstrating and promoting new ideas or techniques, new technologies, methodologies or systems to help smallscale fisherfolk.