Investigating Anthropogenic Impacts on the Manta Rays and Whale Sharks of Hanifaru, Maldives

2009

Luiza Neves (MSc Marine Environmental Management - University of York)

Summary: The Maldives is a unique gathering place for manta rays and whale sharks due to plankton-rich waters in Hanifaru bay. This area is a marine protected zone and a proposed UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Challenges include irresponsible behaviour by safari boats and tourists who touch or chase the animals. To address these issues, regulations are needed, and regional management should prevent boat collisions. A suggested limit of 5 boats and 100 visitors at a time aims to prevent overcrowding. Local resorts play a role in ensuring responsible behaviour at Hanifaru.

Abstract

“The Maldives offers one of the only places on earth where manta rays and whale sharks aggregate in such high numbers to feed. Plankton-rich waters accumulate inside Hanifaru bay, supporting annual mass feeding events for both species. Hanifaru has been declared a marine protected area and is also a proposed core zone for a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, where a management plan is being developed. Some of the main issues and concerns identified in this study include inadequate conduct by safari boats, and a number of visitors still touching and chasing manta rays and whale sharks inside Hanifaru bay. This emphasises the need for rules and regulations to be passed into law to help regulate infringements in the face of Hanifaru’s growing popularity. Integrated management on a regional level should be conducted to counteract issues of boat collisions with the animals in other areas of the Baa Atoll. The suggested carrying capacity for Hanifaru is 5 boats and 100 visitors at any one time, to avoid overcrowding. Overall, present levels of site use have showed low levels of intrusive or inadequate behaviour toward manta rays and whale sharks of Hanifaru, which is in part awarded to the contributions of staff from the local resorts on self-policing the site.”

Author Affiliations

  • University of York

  • The Manta Trust