The Maldives has completed the world’s largest Ocean Use Survey.
The Ocean Use Survey is a participatory mapping survey that asks respondents to identify areas in the marine environment that they value or use. Responses were collected from citizens in all parts of the country to represent how and where Maldivians use the ocean space, with their input being used to inform the Maldives Marine Spatial Plan. The survey was conducted by the Noo Raajje programme, which is a partnership between the government of the Maldives and the Blue Prosperity Coalition.
Noo Raajje aims to develop and implement solutions for long-term sustainable ocean management and resource utilisation, form the necessary regulatory framework to support sustainable management and create a blue economy strategy. A nationwide survey was conducted to learn how Maldivians use and value the ocean in order to ensure that its plans are beneficial and inclusive for as many people as possible. Noo Raajje stated that this effort has become the largest ocean use survey in the world.
Noo Raajje has published a scientific report, which offers a comprehensive overview of how Maldivians use and value the ocean space. The report provides a detailed summary of the methodology used to design and implement the Noo Raajje Ocean Use Survey and the process to produce heatmaps of sector-based ocean use and value in the Maldives.
In light of the information obtained from the survey, policies can be formulated on the basis of the environmental issues identified in the Maldives. As such, 20% of the oceans in the Maldives will be protected. The practical work of the survey began in 2019.
Blue Prosperity is an international coalition of partners engaging with countries to designate and implement 30% marine protection and establish a Blue Prosperity Plan through the Maldives Spatial Plan, which is an approach that uses spatial information about natural resources and human uses to develop a comprehensive management system.