Thu, 02 September 2010  21:44:18
Protected Areas 2 Comment(s)
10 Jun, 2009 10:18:32
Maldives declares whale shark sanctuaries
June 10, 2009 (LBO) - Maldives has established three protected areas for whale sharks, the world's largest fish, the Indian Ocean atoll state which is famed for its corals and marine resources, said.
The marine protected areas have been declared in and around Baa atoll Hanifaru, Baa atoll An'gafaru and South Ari atoll Maamigili, to commemorate World Ocean day on June 08, a government statement said.

"The government is committed to protecting and preserving the Maldives’ exceptional biodiversity," environmental minister Mohamed Aslam said.

"The marine environment is the bedrock of our economy, supporting our largest industries, tourism and fisheries.

"Not only will this initiative protect whale sharks, but also other mega-fauna including manta rays and reef sharks."

In March, Maldives imposed a country wide ban on reef shark hunting.

Whale sharks grow to 12 meters in length. Maldives says it is home to the only known aggregating population in the Indian Ocean.

They are filter feeders and largely survive on plankton.

Researchers have identified 120 individual whale sharks in the Maldives and say Maldives is one of the few places in the world where whale sharks can be found all year round.

The initiative is supported by the government, the communities of Baa atoll and South Ari atoll and the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP).

"The Marine Protected Area sites are globally significant," the statement quoted Richard Reese, director of the whale shark research program as saying.

"By protecting them we are helping to protect whale sharks throughout the Maldives."

The marine protected areas will limit fishing, while diving and snorkeling will be permitted only under strict guidelines.

Speed limits will be imposed on boats to prevent lacerations to the giant fish from boat hulls and propellers and waste management programs will be run on local islands to prevent pollution.

The statement quoted Ahmed Faiz Rasheed, chief of Dhigurah, an island near the Maamigili prrotected area, as saying the local community supports the project.

Tourism is a key revenue earner for the Maldivian economy.

The statement quoted Guy Stevens, a marine biologist at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru resort in Baa Atoll, saying that the whale shark reserves will help boost eco-tourism.

The statement said a recent report on the economic case for biodiversity in the Maldives, also released this week, finds that tourists and locals are prepared to pay 18 million US dollars annually for for biodiversity conservation.

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READER COMMENT(S)
2. Raul Dec 20
The North and East Marine Areas were protected indirectly due to fishing restrictions imposed during the war. We have a very narrow window to create pristine Marine Protected area, animals such as the Dugong are almost extinct in our waters. we reserve over 25% of our land area for wildlife and less than 1% for our Marine life I think this lies in the fact that as Buddists we favor Farming and look down upon people inhabiting the coast line and fish.

Marine Protected areas will act as the tanks, that hold water on land for agriculture, of the Oceans and sustain our fisheries into the future and we must insist at least 10% of our waters be protected before its too late.

1. Jehan Jun 11
We should do the same, Sri Lanka can be far better than Maldives. Restrictions need to be implemented, for this we need to initiate a marine conservation coast guard unit through our Navy, so that we ensure that one of Sri Lanka's treasures could be protected.

We need to restrict fish exports to a quota basis, and stop the dynamiting of fish, spearfishing needs to be banned for a period and thereafter controlled.

All dive stations and sale outlets need to service qualified individuals. It is observed that a majority of divers specially those who supply fish exporters are not qualified and prove to be a hazzard to others by diving excessively for a day.

Rules, regulations and a law is a must, as well as dear fines need to be implemented. Net fishing too needs to be monitored, often the fishermen use the wrong nets, and empty the seas not allowing the species to reproduce effectively.