Introduction
Purpose
- What are the aims of Guraabu Investment Maldives research?
- How will our research benefit the Maldivian people and the country's economy?
Guraabu Investment Maldives (GIM) wishes to conduct research into the feasibility and commercial value of breeding baitfish
in controlled conditions on Thaavathaa Island, in South Maalhosmadulu Atoll with a focus on identifying the necessary conditions for successfully farming baitfish in the Maldives for the benefit of fishermen in the region and the Maldivian fishing industry in general. Our research is aimed at modernizing and streamlining the fishing industry by investigating the feasibility and commercial value of conducting aquaculture in order to provide bait to local fishermen eliminating the time spent on bait fishing.
GIM's research aims to monitor the breeding habits of baitfish under controlled situations. We will then identify favorable conditions to increase the birth rate. We will also monitor the survival-rate of spawned young, identify the determining conditions and use that information to increase natality through observation. Our research will entail utilization of information on increasing catch-rate of certain species of fish by species of bait selectively bred at Thaavathaa by offering local fishermen the opportunity to procure the species that are bred. This will involve engagement with local fishermen on a wide scale. Therefore our research will identify the species of fish which fishermen are able to most successfully catch with the bait we breed. This is targeted towards the economic benefit of local fishermen as well as the increasing the production at national level with regards to the fishing industry.
To reiterate, one of our main goals is to research the viability of mass breeding as a better alternative to bait fishing. However, as this involves research, one of the most integral goals of our research will be contributing to the academic and literary discourse on the subject of research into culturing bait. We hope that through this discourse we will raise awareness among the general public about the research conducted at Thaavathaa.
We plan to accomplish this goal through the dissemination of information regarding the research through websites, pamphlets and other such material.
Lastly, the outcome of our research will be provided to the Maldivian government as well as the Marine Research Center so that it can be utilized in government projects.
Infrastructure
In order to conduct our research we will build the basic infrastructure which should exist on the island beforehand.
This will involve:
- The construction of a powerhouse, a water supply system and a sewerage system.
- The construction of 4 or more beach bungalows for the owner of the island as well as the researchers, investors and VIP.
- Ensuring safe and regular disposal of waste created on the island.
- Dredging the lagoon to create a safe passageway for vessels which will dock at the island.
- Constructing a suitable harbor and jetty for the unloading of passengers and cargo.
- Construction of necessary buildings such as laboratories, staff quarters etc.
All these activities will be carried out under our 'green' policy in order to ensure maximum environmental-friendliness.
Outcome
When our project is successful, we will provide fresh bait propagated at Thaavathaa to visiting fishermen from the region after ascertaining that they are disease-free and of good quality. To ensure that fishermen are first enticed to visit Thaavathaa, we will conduct supplementary activities which will act as a draw to them.
These will be:
(i) A fuel station - GIM plans to store and provide diesel oil for refueling fishing and other vessels which would save the fishing crew the time spent in refueling at more distant stations.
(ii) An ice plant - As ice is in high-demand for storing the catch on fishing vessels, we are confident that the sale of ice at competitive prices will be welcomed by local fishermen as well as generating considerable revenue. Our expected output is 50 tons of ice daily.
(iii) Freshwater - Freshwater being a basic necessity, our plan also includes providing this service to fishermen at prices lower than those in Male' and other freshwater depots.
(iv) A fishing equipment store - At such a store we plan to sell fisheries equipment such as hooks, lines and reels as well as certain spare parts for marine engines.
This will increase the willingness of local fishermen to procure live bait from Thaavathaa.
(iv) A Diving Centre - This Diving Centre is aimed at providing the research and the faculty with dives needed for the research purpose and extra curriculum.
After-Market
Shipping, Transporting and Selling bait at Other Markets
Once the research farm at Thaavathaa can produce baitfish which meets regulations and health standards, we can identify suitable domestic and international markets for the bait produced there. Although this will not be conducted on such a large scale, this will also be a key source of information for our research. Once suitable markets are identified we will need to properly package our product, either live or frozen, and transport it to those markets where fishermen and fishing industrialists can purchase them.
Foreign Involvement in the Research
Will we be bringing foreign expertise and investment to the Maldives?
First and foremost, bait culture is being introduced to the Maldives for the first time through this opportunity to conduct research into it. Therefore it is both inevitable and understandable that technical expertise on the subject needs to be acquired from abroad. Therefore, since the birth of this idea on our part and the opening of this opportunity by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, we have been in contact with experts in this field . Our contacts are active in the fisheries industry and are most importantly comprised of scientists who are working in the field. Although our initial proposal was prepared with the minimal involvement of our foreign research partners, we have been in constant contact with them and they are aware of the islands size and the opportunities available for research on the island.
During our initial discussions on bait culture, we have also identified a possible method of culture which has recently been discussed in coastal aquaculture projects in the Middle East and South East Asia. The Valli culture system which was successfully enacted in Italy may be applicable in the Maldives and therefore we are also corresponding with technicians who have been providing us information on this type of culture.
Our goal is not to hand this project over to foreign expertise but rather to assist the exchange of knowledge between overseas experts and Maldivians. We will be involving local expertise as far as possible and at every juncture so that our countrymen will acquire the necessary and valuable skills to conduct further research with minimal foreign involvement. At the same time we are sensitive to the need to eliminate the undercurrents of xenophobia that run through the political landscape and create channels of discourse and interaction between the global community and our local population. Also, it is of paramount importance that we bring the vast knowledge and finances of wealthier nations to the Maldives where we can make the best use of it to revitalize our economy and educate our people.
Summary
In summation we would like to list out the key points in our proposal
1. We propose to conduct research into the viability and commercial value of breeding bait fish in controlled conditions in the coastal waters of the Maldives.
2. We will employ scientific methods to discern the necessary conditions for successful large-scale breeding of Mullet and Milkfish utilizing hatcheries and nurseries constructed for the purpose.
3. We will minimize the damage to the natural environment of Thaavathaa and employ greener methods in the generation of electricity and the building of basic infrastructure on the island.
4. We will ensure employment opportunities as well as vital research and learning opportunities for Maldivian citizens.
5. We will present our findings to the general public, academicians and government officials.
6. Our goal is to boost the national productivity of the Maldives through revolutionizing and modernizing the country's fishery industry.
Conclusion
The above proposal is an outline of the research we have planned to conduct, if allowed to do so, on the island of Thaavathaa. We are working jointly with interested parties, both foreign and local, who comprise our team of technical staff, who have prepared a tentative research strategy. We would like to stress that our goal is to emphasize the academic and economic merits of our research rather than proposing an unfeasible rent which might hamper the progress of our research. We believe that this is in line with the thinking of the current government of the Maldives and also beneficial to the people of our nation. GIM notes that this is an unprecedented and visionary move by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture in truly taking the Maldivian fishery industry to the next level and would like to celebrate this fact. We hope that this is a harbinger of similar and more lucrative, in financial and socioeconomic terms, projects to come.
Projects
Facts of the Island - island Thaavathaa (Raa Atoll)
Land : 512.12 mtrs length
224.71 mtrs width
Lagoon : 1,307.60 mtrs lenght
593.54 mtrs width
Lagoon depth : 3 to 7 feet depth from shore to reef
Distance to the Thaavathaa from the capital Male' : 156.17 Kms
97.04 Miles
From the Airport to Thaavathaa (Raa atoll) :
First to the resort called Meedhupparu by seaplane - 35 mins
Then from Meedhupparu to the island by boat - 5 mins
Speed Boat from Male to Thaavathaa (Raa Atoll) : Around 2.5 to 3 hours
By our Safari (Dive Master) : 8 to 10 hours
Since the year 1994, we are one of the leading inbound tour operators in the Maldives. We have been highly professional in the travel sector for the past couple of years. We take this opportunity to introduce ourselves to our beloved clients
We own and operate our cruiser “DIVE MASTER, which is one of the latest liveaboard cruisers equipped with most modern amenities to cater for all scuba divers and surfers today. The aim of Guraabu Trade & Travels is to provide a professional service in a very competitive hospitality environment, ensuring that our clients see the real true beauty of this wonderful island world.