A diverse collection of Maldivian reef fish filleted and cleaned, showcasing the consistent removal of fins and gills across different species.

From the Author’s Lens: The Art of the Maldivian Cut

In the Maldives, fishing is only the first half of the art; the second half is the precision of the blade. Unlike international methods that often discard the head, Maldivian tradition preserves it, utilizing a unique maneuver behind the gill plate to clean the fish without losing its integrity.

From the removal of the gills to the delicate extraction of the Bandaaidhoo—a prized, leaf-shaped section of the belly—every cut is a lesson in maritime efficiency. This is more than food prep; it is a skeletal geometry practiced by islanders for centuries to ensure that the ocean’s gift is never wasted.

A Bluefin Trevally being filleted in the traditional Maldivian style, showing the precise removal of the gills and fins
The iridescent Bluefin Trevally requires a precise hand. In the Maldivian tradition, we navigate the bony gill plate to clean the fish without removing the head—a technique that preserves the integrity of the catch for the pot
A Blue Striped Snapper, a Triggerfish, and a local reef fish filleted side-by-side using the traditional Maldivian gill-removal and fin-trimming technique
A comparative study of the reef’s bounty. From the delicate Blue Striped Snapper to the rugged, armor-like skin of the Triggerfish, the Maldivian ‘Art of the Cut’ adapts to every anatomy, ensuring no part of the gift is wasted.
A Cobia fish filleted using traditional Maldivian techniques, showcasing the clean removal of the thick skin and spinal linden
The Cobia—a powerful predator of the deep blue—requires a firm hand and a sharp blade. Its dense, white fillets are a testament to the master’s ability to navigate thick skin and robust bone structures with surgical precision.
A fresh Kawakawa tuna being filleted in the Maldives, showing the specialized removal of the dark loin and belly sections.
The Kawakawa is the lifeblood of the Maldivian kitchen. Its dense, dark flesh and oil-rich ‘Bandaaidhoo’ require a swift, clean cut to ensure the quality required for the perfect traditional broth.
A diverse collection of Maldivian reef fish filleted and cleaned.
Unity in the harvest. While the shapes of the reef vary—from the streamlined snapper to the robust hunter—the Maldivian blade speaks a universal language of efficiency, stripping away the spines to reveal the gift beneath.
A Triggerfish filleted using Maldivian techniques, highlighting the removal of the tough skin and the signature locking dorsal spine.
The Triggerfish is a test of the islander’s blade. Navigating its armor-like skin and the rigid ‘trigger’ spine requires a deep understanding of skeletal geometry—a specialized branch of the Maldivian Art of the Cut.

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