Editing Maldives (section)

===Fishing industry===
{{main|Fishing industry in the Maldives}}

[[File:Doni aux Maldives cropped.jpg|thumb|A mechanised traditional inter-island dhoni stripped of its sails]]

For many centuries the Maldivian economy was entirely dependent on fishing and other [[ocean|marine]] products. Fishing remains the main occupation of the people and the government gives priority to the fisheries sector.

The [[mechanisation]] of the [[traditional fishing boat]] called ''[[Dhoni (fishing vessel)|dhoni]]'' in 1974 was a major milestone in the development of the fisheries industry. A fish canning plant was installed on [[Felivaru]] in 1977, as a joint venture with a Japanese firm. In 1979, a Fisheries Advisory Board was set up with the mandate of advising the government on policy guidelines for the overall development of the fisheries sector. Manpower development programmes began in the early 1980s, and fisheries education was incorporated into the school curriculum. [[Fish aggregating device]]s and navigational aids were located at various strategic points. Moreover, the opening up of the [[exclusive economic zone]] (EEZ) of the Maldives for fisheries has further enhanced the growth of the fisheries sector.

{{As of|2010}}, fisheries contributed over 15% of the country's GDP and engaged about 30% of the country's workforce. Fisheries were also the second-largest foreign exchange earner after [[#Tourism|tourism]].