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 Tides   |  Protected Marine Areas    |  Famous Shipwrecks   |  Diving Safaris

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On World Environment Day, June 5 of 1995, the government of the Maldives announced the establishment of 15 Protected Marine Areas within the major tourist atolls. This is the first step in protecting popular dive sites from the detrimental effects of over-fishing, coral mining, anchor damage and rubbish. If successful, more areas are expected to be protected in the future.

Awareness of the need of Protected Marine Areas was brought about initially by unrestricted shark fishing, especially at world renowned dive sites such as Fish Head and Lions Head. In 1995 - 1996 shark fins were fetching upto US$ 70/kg, so there is great incentive for fishermen to meet the growing demand. The number of sharks at some dive sites today is less than they were just a few years ago and over-fishing, if unchecked, poses long term problems for the diving industry.

In the past few years, the number of people entering the aquarium industry has increased and the business is expanding rapidly. Many divers visit the Maldives especially to record and photograph the small and beautiful fish that find their way into private fish tanks. Since most of these fish are taken from areas close to Male', this industry also, could be in direct conflict with the recreational diving industry. Steps have been taken to introduce a quota system for those species that are considered rare in the Maldives and it is hoped that these measures will help to protect existing aquarium fish stocks.

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