Selecting Candidate No-Take Area Locations in the Maldives

2013

Georgia Coward (MSc Marine Environmental Management - University of York)

Summary: Up to 60% of the world's coral reefs face threats from human activities, and climate change is intensifying these challenges. The Maldives, heavily dependent on coral reefs for both its ecosystem and economy, saw 80-95% of its coral die in the 1998 bleaching event. Ocean warming is expected to cause annual or biannual bleaching in the Indian Ocean within 50 years. While Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help reefs adapt, the Maldives’ current efforts are inadequate. In 2012, the president announced plans to make the entire nation a marine reserve, identifying 28 key sites for further study.

Abstract

“Up to 60% of coral reefs worldwide are threatened by anthropogenic activities. Climate change has compounded these threats, although vulnerability varies geographically. The Maldives is amongst the most vulnerable countries, and is fully reliant on their reefs both ecologically and socio-economically. The Maldives suffered 80-95% coral mortality during the 1998 ENSO bleaching event. Coral bleaching events are predicted to become annual or biannual occurrence in the Indian Ocean within 50 years due to increasing ocean warming. Considerable research now indicates that protection of coral reefs from direct anthropogenic threats, through the use of no-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), can enhance their resilience to this climate change. However, current protection of Maldives’ reefs is inadequate, with the 35 MPAs in place largely designated on an ad hoc basis with insufficient enforcement and management. Consequently, few significant biological differences have been detected between protected and unprotected areas. This prompted the Maldivian President’s RIO+ 2012 decision to designate the whole country a marine reserve, with notake areas throughout by 2017. Here, scientific criteria are assessed against all available information and 2011/2012 Reef Check shallow-water data (www.reefcheck.org) to determine candidate locations. Twenty-eight candidate locations are identified throughout the country and are prioritised for further research.”

Author Affiliations

  • University of York

  • The Manta Trust