Best Practice Code of Conduct for Manta Ray Tourism
After several years of research conducted in the Maldives, the Manta Trust Team have developed a Best Practice Code of Conduct for Manta Ray Tourism. These guidelines outline how divers and snorkelers should behave in-water, to both enhance their experience and to ensure their presence does not disturb the mantas they encounter. In addition, it includes recommendations for tourism operators on how best to approach and depart manta aggregation sites, and how to help their crew manage a manta excursion.
Through the Manta Trust's, how to Swim with Manta Rays initiative, they have adapted the Manta Tourism Code of Conduct for use in the real world. They have distilled its contents into a freely-available, multi-language Media Kit, that includes a 10-Step Guide and a short educational film. The have 'also compiled a growing list of tourism operators that are committed to sustainable manta tourism. Through this dedicated website, their goal is to equip operators and tourists with the tools and information they need, to make their excursions truly sustainable for the gentle giants we all know and love.
For more information please logo on to https://swimwithmantas.org/
Olhugiri Protected Area Management Plan
A team comprising of representatives from Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office, Environmental Protection Agency and the Environment Depart of the Ministry of Environment has visited Baa Atoll to undertake the required consultations in finalizing the management plan for the protected area of Olhugiri.
During the 5 day trip to the atoll which started on 1 October the team held discussions with Baa Atoll Acouncil, Hithaadhoo and Thulhaadhoo Councils, resource users of Olhugiri island and also visited Coco Palm Resort and Finolhu Reosrt and held discussions with senior management of the reosrt.
It has been proposed that the management plan of Olhugiri will be in effect by the end of the year.
Saafu Raajje (THE CLEAN MALDIVES INITIATIVE)
Regional Waste Management Seminar
Over 90 participants comprising of 4 atolls from 45 islands of North Region (Noonu,Raa,Baa and Lhaviyani Atolls) have gathered at the capital of Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Eydhafushi to discuss issues relating to waste management of the region.
Representatives from Environmental Protection Agency, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office and Waste Management Corporation are are represented in the two day Regional Seminar on Waste Management organized by Ministry of Environment and Energy which began on 31 October 2017.
