A validation workshop for the South Ari Marine Protected Area or South Ari Marine Park (SAMPA) management plan has been held in ADh. Maamigili.
The Environment Ministry stated that more than 80 participants attended the workshop, including guides, vessel crew members, captains, tour operators, and civil society organizations active in the SAMPA area.
The Ministry noted that the purpose of this workshop was to further refine the management plan being prepared for the SAMPA area and to determine the important steps to be taken within the next three months after the publication of the management plan. During the meeting, information was shared regarding the guidelines for interacting with whale sharks and the process of making bookings through the protected areas website, according to the Ministry.
The Ministry acknowledged the cooperation received from the public in managing the SAMPA area and expressed gratitude for the large number of participants who attended the workshop.
The South Ari Marine Park is an area protected under Article 4 of the Maldives Environmental Protection and Preservation Act on June 5, 2009. This area was officially designated and publicly announced as the 'South Ari Marine Park Area' on July 11, 2019. The 'South Ari Marine Park Area' encompasses a 1-kilometer zone starting from the outer reef of the islands located between the northwestern corner of the Rangali reef and the northern corner of the Dhigurah reef in South Ari Atoll. Due to its rich natural resources and biodiversity, this area is recognized globally as a place where whale sharks can be seen year-round. Important species found in this area also include protected turtles, rays, and shark species.
A 5-member advisory committee has been formed to protect and manage the South Ari Marine Park area. The advisory committee comprises representatives from resorts, guesthouses or dive centers, civil society organizations, the fisheries sector, and the liveaboard sector within the area. 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 area, advising on special events held in the area, and advising on the implementation of a fee for users of the South Ari Marine Park area if one is to be collected.
