The Maldives government has once again taken a bold step in the conservation of whale sharks (Fekhurihi) by introducing strict measures to strengthen the protection of propellers on excursion boats.
“Sometimes more than 100 tourists swim for one whale shark ; no set policy. Even boats venture into this area,” said the Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Mr. Toriq Ibrahim. The minister said that this protocol will be implemented over the next three months. Special boats will operate in areas where whale sharks are active and monitor ships that take tourists to these areas.
In addition, a new regulation requiring propeller protection will be extended to areas outside the South Aryan marine park (SAMPA), where whale shark activity is observed. SAMPA is a world famous area and the most important feature of this area is that whale sharks can be seen here throughout the year. The protocol must be followed in all these areas and will come into force within the next three months. "By mandating propeller guards, we are taking a significant step toward ensuring the safety of both whale sharks and those who admire them.This measure reflects our commitment to sustainable tourism and the conservation of our marine environment,” added Visit Maldives CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shiure.
Last year The Maldives government has developed a legal framework to protect whale sharks and their natural habitat. The policy includes precautions to take when interacting with these creatures and how to handle an injured or sick whale shark. Under this policy, a distance of 250 meters around a whale shark is considered a contact zone where only three vessels can be present at a time. In these areas, the speed of vessels should not exceed 5 knots per hour, and in the immediate vicinity of a whale shark, the speed should not exceed 2 knots per hour. With these new regulations, the Maldives continues to lead the way in marine conservation efforts, ensuring that future generations will be able to appreciate the beauty of these gentle giants, which will not only make tourists' experiences with whale sharks in the Maldives more enjoyable, but will also protect the vital ecosystem that supports existence whale sharks in their natural habitat.
Source: visitmaldives
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