Maldivian Fishermen Tavdiwt: Asaru sɣur Aishath Naajila

Maldivian Fishermen Tavdiwt: Asaru sɣur Aishath Naajila d anerbaz yettwaqadren meqqren n 2026 Tarbaḥt A' Design Award n Lfeṭṭa deg Taggayt n Tnaflit n Afeṣṣel n Usaru, Avidyu d Usmussu.

LfeṭṭaAsaru· 2026

Maldivian Fishermen Tavdiwt: Asaru

sɣur Aishath Naajila

Amsaɣ: Two Thousand Isles

Anerbaz n Tarbaḥt A' Design Award n Lfeṭṭa deg Taggayt n Asaru

33,431

Anerbaz n Urraz Yettwasenqden

Senqed Addad n Urraz i #183833

Rzu ɣer usmel Wali deg A' Design Award Tabḍert n tɣamsa Tanecḍa n wammud

Initen

Afeṣṣel

Ɣef Maldivian Fishermen Tavdiwt: Asaru

Asaru Iqessaren Imaldivyen d-yesskanay aḍebbes aqbur s useṭṭa d wemrar n uslem tuna deg Imaldiv, tarrayt tazmurt i s-ttarran acḥal n tikkal d asagem n tudert n tegzirt-agi. Seg lǧil ɣer wayeḍ, aslem tuna d učči aḥeqqani i yesseṭṭafen tudert n yal ass deg tegzura. S wallus n teqsiḍt s teɣwsatin timegridin d wefran n umeslaw i k-yeṭṭfen, asenfar-agi yeṭṭef iḍebbasen imusnawen i xeddmen s wallus imṣawan deg wesdaw n Dhoni aqbur, i d-yewwin tarmit-agi ɣer wannar amaḍlan.

Asmekti

Ɣef Tarbaḥt A' Design Award n Lfeṭṭa

Maldivian Fishermen Tavdiwt: Asaru d amerbaḥ n Tarbaḥt A' Design Award n Lfeṭṭa, tagmat ɛlayen i yisnulfa yelhan, yeḥlan s waṭas. Imerbaḥen n Lfeṭṭa d isnulfa yelhan akk, yesɛan tmusni d tazmert. Maldivian Fishermen Tavdiwt: Asaru ad yili d asnulfu amaynut, yelhan, ad yeǧǧ ddunit tennuɣ.

Deffir n ufeṣṣel

Tagrurt n tɣamsa

Ismawen n terbaɛt, iferdisen itiknikanen akked telɣut i d-yefka umeṣṣufeɣ.

Taɣara Tasuft: This is an independently produced documentary visual project capturing the traditional pole-and-line fishing practice in the Maldives. Created during COVID-19 while in isolation at sea, it combines cinematography, sound design, and immersive storytelling. Its strength lies in its authenticity, produced within real conditions of isolation, offering an intimate, unfiltered portrayal of Maldivian fishermen. The work stands out for its experiential approach, blending heritage, resilience, and cinematic realism.
Tigejdiwin & Akemmus: Shot aboard a 100-foot pole-and-line fishing dhoni, the project documents Maldivian fishermen working at sea with precise, coordinated movements resembling a disciplined system. Through aerial perspectives, it captures the ocean’s food chain in motion, sharks, skipjack tuna, and fishermen, framing these moments to reflect the deep connection between this traditional practice and the Maldives’ identity and way of life.
Tibzimin: sustainable, fishing, pole and line, Maldives, tuna, ocean, documentry
Tasnakta n Ufares: Filmed on a Sony A7 III with 35mm, 85mm, and 70–200mm lenses, with aerials via DJI Phantom 4 and underwater footage on a GoPro during freediving, the project was produced independently,covering planning, real-time filming, editing, sound design, and colour grading. An unobtrusive approach allowed fishermen to work naturally, ensuring an authentic, unstaged portrayal without direction.
Asewḥel n Usnulfu: The project faced logistical constraints, including limited equipment, a single drone battery requiring precise planning, and long waits for unpredictable moments at sea. The first four days saw no catch due to bait shortages, and underwater footage relied solely on a GoPro. Adapting strategically, key moments were captured to form an authentic narrative of the fishermen’s practice and the ocean’s food chain.
Anadi: Documentary visual research on sustainable pole-and-line fishing in the Maldives. Field-based observation and immersive filming were conducted over 8 days in March 2020 aboard a local fishing vessel during the COVID-19 period. Data was collected through photography, film, aerial, and underwater footage. Participants included local fishermen. The results highlight ecological balance, resilience, and coordination. The impact emphasizes cultural preservation and awareness of sustainable fishing practices.
Aseḥbiber: Inspired by a lifelong curiosity about fishing in the Maldives, the project evolved through Two Thousand Isles, where travel deepened an interest in storytelling and lived experience. While learning freediving, the filmmaker joined an eight-day trip on a local boat, living at sea, waking before dawn and at midnight, eating the catch, and observing the ocean’s food chain in motion.
Tanzagt n Usenfar: Filmed over eight days aboard a fishing vessel in March 2020, during the early stages of COVID-19, the project was later completed with full post-production, editing, sound design, and colour grading, independently carried out later that year.
Tanila n Umahil: Operated on a traditional pole-and-line dhoni, the method relies on coordinated teamwork and timing rather than machinery. Fishermen attract skipjack tuna with live bait, triggering a feeding response where fish are hooked individually. Key moments, bait release, surface frenzy, precise catching, transform ocean activity into a sustainable harvest, reducing bycatch and ensuring quality, rooted in skill, patience, and harmony with marine life.
Ibrivan: All the copyrights belong to Aishath Naajila, 2023.
Imsuren n Tugniwin: Videography & Photography: Aishath Naajila