Visit Maldives Corporation expands Burunu Boma sport fishing series to southern atolls
Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) and the Equatorial Fishing Club (EFC) will host the Burunu Lite Addu Edition (Ronda Masrace 1447), a one-day sport fishing tournament scheduled for 28 May 2026 in Maradhoo, Addu City, marking an expansion of the Burunu Boma Global Sport Fishing Tournament series and the first edition of the format to be held in the southern atolls.
The tournament will be centred in Addu City, a key fishing hub with a strong local fishing community, and is expected to bring together resident fishermen, visiting anglers, and community participants during the Eid Al-Adha period. A total of 24 teams have registered to participate in the tournament, reflecting strong interest from the local fishing community and competitive anglers across the region.
Burunu Lite serves as a regional extension of the Burunu Boma Global Sport Fishing Tournament, helping to broaden participation and engagement ahead of the flagship international competition held in Malé, which brings together elite anglers from around the world to compete in the Maldives’ premier sport fishing event. Burunu Lite Addu Edition has been developed as a structured sporting event that supports tourism diversification objectives by positioning the Maldives beyond its traditional resort offering. It also promotes authentic sport fishing and eco-tourism experiences while strengthening awareness of local fishing heritage and encouraging engagement with the “Blue Economy”. The event further highlights Addu City and the southern atolls as emerging tourism hubs, supporting wider regional economic development.
The competition will follow international IGFA standards and will include both catch-and-release practices alongside regulated retention, with all retained catch sold and proceeds directed to charitable causes.
Event format:
- The main competition will take place on 28 May 2026with the following schedule:
- 1:00 pm: Vessel assembly and inspection at Maradhoo Harbour 2:00 pm: Tournament start and line release
- 9:00 pm: Lines out and return to harbour 9:30 pm: Final weigh-in
- 10:30pm: Closing ceremony and prize presentation
The event will conclude with a community-focused closing programme and Eid gathering at the harbour area.
Winners will be determined through a points-based system based on species, weight, and length. Awards will include:
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd place team prizes
- Individual awards for heaviest catch, highest catch count, youngest angler, and angler of the tournament
The event is intended to support broader efforts to promote regional tourism development, increase youth and community participation in sport fishing, and strengthen the positioning of the Maldives as a destination for authentic marine-based experiences. Burunu Lite Addu Edition will also serve as a precursor to the second edition of the Burunu Boma international fishing tournament, which is scheduled to take place from 13 to 15 June 2026. Registration for Burunu Boma closes on 31 May 2026.
