Entry into SAMPA area without propeller guards will be prohibited starting from June 30

The Ministry of Environment has announced that starting from the 30th of this month, all vessels entering the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll will be required to have propeller guards installed.

In a recent announcement, the Ministry mandated that all snorkeling and diving vessels, as well as speedboats operating in the area, must install propeller guards by the end of this month. This measure aims to protect tourists in the water, as well as the local whale shark population and other marine life, from injuries caused by propeller strikes. A primary objective of this decision is to prevent tragic accidents involving tourists, which have previously resulted in fatalities within Maldivian waters.

According to the Ministry of Environment, this measure is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that tourism activities in the SAMPA (South Ari Marine Protected Area) are conducted in a sustainable manner that guarantees the safety of both people and the environment.

The SAMPA (South Ari Marine Protected Area) encompasses the waters extending one kilometer outward from the outer reef edge of the islands situated between the northwest of ADh. Rangali reef and the northern channel of Digurah. Protected since 2009, this zone is renowned as the premier location in the Maldives for whale shark sightings.

Under the SAMPA Management Plan formulated by the Ministry last year, additional regulations have been established for vessels entering the area. These include:

• Registration is required prior to entering the area.
• The designated flag issued upon registration must be displayed on the vessel.
• Notify rangers before entering the area.
• Share the vehicle's "live location" while operating in that area.

The government anticipates that these new regulations will further bolster ongoing efforts to preserve the natural beauty and marine biodiversity of the SAMPA area.