Agriculture Ministry clears first mud crab farming venture in Fiyoaree

Permission has been granted to carry out a commercial “mud crab fattening” project in the Maldives for the first time.

The Ministry of Agriculture has issued the permit to a private company, Maritoll Private Limited, with the project scheduled to take place in GDh. Fiyoaree.

According to the Ministry, the aim is to harvest small crabs from Fiyoaree’s mangrove wetland, fatten them in specialized cages, and develop them to a standard suitable for both domestic and international commercial markets.

“Mud crab fattening” involves keeping lightweight or juvenile crabs in designated pens or ponds and feeding them to rapidly increase their body weight and meat quality within a short period.

Experts note that within 20 days to one month, these crabs can be fattened to premium market size by feeding them a high-protein diet.

While the mud crab fattening project is being launched in Fiyoaree, various species of crabs inhabit wetlands and mangroves across the Maldives, where they are consumed locally in different ways.