The Ministry of Tourism, Maldives re-launched its Shark Watch Program in September as part of Tourism Week 2009. The program is meant to create awareness on the importance of shark species for the tourism industry. Implemented with the support from the Marine Research Centre Maldives, the dive centres and the tourism industry, the program will identify the interest of the tourists visiting Maldives on sharks, their sighting information and general species types through sighting cards collected from tourist resorts, dive centres and live-aboard vessels. Additionally this program will also organise supporting awareness programs among the general public.
During the monsoon, the seasonal currents bring up nutrient rich water in the Maldivian coral reefs that hold millions of life forms of which perhaps one of the most fascinating is the graceful and friendly Maldivian shark. Known as the “Patrollers” of the reefs, there are 37 species of shark found in Maldives, and many more are expected to occur. However, it is difficult to put an estimate on the shark populations and the associated impacts, just like many other reef fish species.
Scuba divers, snorkellers and visiting tourists are delighted to see the sharks that can be sighted even from their water bungalows or over the jetties.
Shark species are charaterised by slow growth, late maturity and low fecundity resulting in wide generation gaps and low regeneration rates in the population. The shark populations of the Maldives are facing an over-exploitation threat from the fishing industry and this is negatively impacting both fisheries and tourism. In recent times, shark sightings and export of shark products have dwindled. To protect the shark population and create public awareness about the importance of sharks, the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has declared a ban on reef shark fishing under Clause 10 of the Maldives Fisheries Act, thereby prohibiting any fishing activities targeted at killing, capturing or extraction of any shark species inside and within 12 miles from the outer atoll rim of all Maldivian Atolls.
The Ministry is working with the Marine Research Centre to develop and implement a long-term program to monitor reef shark populations that will enable verification of the effectiveness of this ban. This will be conducted through the ‘Maldives Sharkwatch Program’ which will identify the interest of the tourists visiting Maldives on sharks, their sighting information and general species types through sighting cards collected from tourist resorts, dive centers and live-aboard vessels. In the initial stage, the Maldives Sharkwatch Program will encompass site selection for monitoring and carrying out baseline surveys with the help of dive schools and marine biologists. This will form the base for long term monitoring. Apart from Safari Operators, Dive Centers & International Dive Associations in Maldives, 19 resorts also form the network of shark monitoring teams across the country. The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB), AEC project (Ministry of Housing, Transport and Environment), Tourism Industry, Educational Institutions (Schools/School Env. Clubs), Local and International media and special interest personalities have been roped into help.
Anyone visiting the Maldives can participate in the Shark Watch Program which aims to promote and market Maldives as a shark friendly marine eco-destination, monitor activities and interest for shark watching, and generate a quantitative perspective on shark populations for sustaining marine tourism in the Maldives, involve tourists and the public to create a positive image of Maldives and minimize threats to shark populations through awareness and voluntary initiative.
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