WS conservation in the Maldives

Threats to whale sharks in the Maldives

Unfortunately some of the same issues that threaten whale sharks worldwide also exist in the Maldives:

Boat strike

The frequency of boat strike injuries is very high (>70% of individuals) in the Maldives compared with other Indian Ocean regions. This can be attributed to the high levels of boat traffic passing through the known aggregation areas.

Unregulated tourism

Tour operators that do not abide by the government guidelines, which involve among other things vessel size and speed limits, increase the likely hood of boat strikes and the impact of encounters on important whale shark behaviour. Encounters involving several boats and a large numbers of tourists are usually very brief, unsatisfactory and scary for the guests and for the whale sharks which tend to exhibit evasive behaviour.   

Pollution

Waste management is a big problem for local islands including those neighbouring whale shark aggregation sites. Because of a lack of services both liquid waste and refuse is not properly treated or disposed of and often ends up in the sea. Pollutants in the seawater pose a risk to whale sharks because they rely on large quantities of tiny prey. 

Targeted fishing

Whale shark fishing has been illegal in the Maldives since 1995 and this has now been followed up by a complete ban on shark fishing within the archipelago. Unfortunately despite these progressive measures opportunistic fishing of whale sharks does still exist. It appears that although liver oil is no longer sought after (due to the availability of cheaper petroleum based lubricants) it is the whale sharks fins that are the target for poachers. The shark fin trade is growing exponentially to keep up with the demands of a burgeoning middle class market in the Far East. The whale shark’s massive fins are used as billboards by retailers and can fetch thousands of dollars.

What can be done to protect the whale shark in the Maldives?

The MWSRP believes in an integrated approach to whale shark conservation involving the government, tourist industry and the local island communities. Whale shark tourism could be the key to the species preservation if these three groups can work together to create a truly sustainable industry. The ultimate goal is to enable those communities neighbouring the whale shark hotspots to benefit financially from whale shark tourism in their area, giving them both the financial means and the incentive to manage, monitor and preserve what their own natural resources.

The first steps towards whale shark conservation have been made by the Maldivian government. In the last 15 years they have banned whale shark fishing, issued whale shark encounter guidelines and more recently established three marine protected areas encompassing the main Maldivian whale shark tourism hot spots. However due in part to an acute lack of resources these rules, although they exist on paper, are not currently enforced and are not widely known.

MWSRP conservation objectives

The following MWSRP objectives aim to assist the Maldivian government in informing, empowering and mobilising the tourist industry and the local island communities towards a more sustainable solution.

Build the capacity of the local island communities to manage and generate revenue from whale shark tourism. The MWSRP is working with representatives from the government, tour operators and the local communities to develop a management plan for the Maldives largest MPA, established in South Ari atoll in 2009. Through a mechanism developed by the MWSRP some local resorts and live-aboard vessels have already begun donating guest contributions towards the establishment of a community level management body ‘FenMaaDhiguran’ which will manage the MPA alongside the governments Environmental Protection Agency. For more information on the MPA and FenMaaDhiguRan please click here.   

Visit local schools and conduct field trips in order to raise awareness of the environmental, economical and cultural value of the whale shark and its habitat. The MWSRP sees environmental education in schools as an integral part of its outreach work. Since its inception in 2006 the team have been giving regular presentations and carrying out school field trips including whale shark excursions, reef monitoring and beach clean activities with the local island schools. For more information on MWSRP school initiatives please click here.

Provide presentations and resources for the whale shark tourist industry in order for them to provide whale shark excursions that are more informative, safe and sustainable.   The MWSRP is dedicated to providing the tourist industry with the relevant tools and resources to carry out more informative, safe and sustainable whale shark excursions. Five years of research has helped to produce a complete online training tool for whale shark tour guides around the world. This project has been produced in collaboration with the Travel Foundation and the course will go live online in February 2011. For more information click here.    

On the basis of good research, advise the government as to the status of the whale shark population in the Maldives.  By continuing to share its findings with the relevant government ministries and the Marine Research Centre the MWSRP is well placed to give advice on the status of Maldivian whale sharks. Thus far MWSRP’s research has contributed to policies such as the introduction of whale shark/tourist encounter guidelines in 2007 and to the establishment of the South Ari Marine Protected Area in 2009.   

Within the MWSRP provide marine biology and environmental management training, internships and employment opportunities for Maldivian nationals. It is the goal of the MWSRP to become a Maldivian–run research and conservation programme. In order to ensure this happens the MWSRP are developing a Maldivian national scholarship scheme whereby Maldivian biologists and conservationists can apply to join the MWSRP to gain valuable hands on experience. As a member of the IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas it is the MWSRP’s intention to make training available for Maldivians to learn about coastal management and specifically marine protected areas management. For more information about the scheme please contact us.