The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy has once again opened the opportunity to apply for membership of the advisory committee for the protection and management of the South Ari Marine Park area.
The deadline for the first announcement made by the Ministry opening the opportunity for membership expired on the 21st of this month. The Ministry has not disclosed the reason for opening the membership for a second time. The advisory committee that protects and manages the South Ari Marine Park area consists of 5 sectors.
Members of the Advisory Committee:
Representative of guest houses or dive centres 1 (one)
Representative from an NGO active in this area -1 (one)
Representative of the fisheries sector 1 (one)
Representative of the liveaboard sector 1 (one)
The Ministry has requested applicants for membership to submit the required documents for the position to the Ministry before 14:00 on Sunday, 01 December 2024. Furthermore, it stated that documents will also be accepted via the e-mail jobs@environment.gov.mv. The Ministry also stated that if more than one party applies for a single sector, members will be selected after considering the education and experience of the applicants.
According to the Ministry, the responsibilities of the committee include advising on matters related to the management of the protected South Ari Marine Park area, advising on resolving issues encountered in managing the South Ari Marine Park area, advising on matters regarding special events held in the South Ari Marine Park area, and advising on levying a fee if one is to be charged from parties using the South Ari Marine Park area. This work is not a remunerated task.
The South Ari Marine Park is a protected area under Article 4 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives, since 5 June 2009. This area was designated and publicly announced as the 'South Ari Marine Park Area' on 11 July 2019. The 'South Ari Marine Park Area' is designated as the area from the outer reef of the islands between the north-western corner of the Rangali reef in South Ari Atoll and the northern corner of the Dhigurah reef, extending 1 kilometre outwards. Due to the richness of natural resources and biodiversity, this area is noted globally as an area where whale sharks can be seen throughout the year. Important species found in this area also include protected turtles, rays, and shark species.
This area is currently managed by the Maamigili Council.
