The government has conducted a survey in North and South Malé Atolls to monitor reef fish communities.
This survey conducted by the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI) from 3 to 16 July is part of a re-sampling effort under the Global FinPrint Project, in collaboration with Mote Marine Lab, contributing to one of the world’s largest surveys of reef sharks and rays.
According to MMRI, researchers deployed Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) to monitor reef fish communities and elasmobranch abundance.
Maldives adopted the Precautionary Approach and imposed a ban on shark fishing within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in 2010 following serious concerns regarding the status of shark stocks in Maldivian waters, as well as the Indian Ocean in general. Maldives was the first Indian Ocean country to declare the whole of its EEZ as a shark sanctuary.
The protection of shark species in the Maldives has resulted in an uptick in excursions for visiting tourists prompting the government to expand protected areas.
In addition to sharks, ray breeding areas are also being protected by the government as manta rays have also become a popular excursion activity among tourists.