OUR

THREATENED HOME

The atolls of the Maldives are remarkable. They are the seventh largest reef system in the world and the largest in the Indian Ocean. The reefs of the Maldives contain over a quarter of the world’s known hard coral species, almost a fifth of all coral reef fish and an abundance of charismatic giants like manta rays and whale sharks, and endangered species like green and hawksbill sea turtles. 

Not only are these coral reefs home to a magnificent array of marine life but they are the actual foundation of every island and they act as natural barriers and protect the low-lying islands from the eroding forces of the sea. They also provide the environmental setting for the country’s most lucrative industry, tourism. 

Across the Maldives, coral reefs are bordered by lush underwater seagrass meadows and dense mangrove forests. These ecosystems not only provide coastal protection to the atoll’s low-lying islands but also absorb huge amounts of carbon and serve as a nursery habitat for many juvenile reef organisms as well as sharks and rays. Seagrass meadows are essential feeding grounds for green sea turtles and Laamu is also home to some of the highest levels of green turtle nesting activity in the Maldives.

Environmental protection is fundamental to the future of the Maldives. Yet, the management of Marine Protected Areas is weak and due to overexploitation – fishing, tourism, pollution, coastal development, climate change – these ecosystems are degrading and losing their capacity to support the people who depend on them.  

OUR SOLUTION

LAAMU’S FIRST MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

Laamu, and the rest of the Maldives, will need to endure the inevitable changing environment while sustaining tourism as the mainstay of the economy. The only way in which this is possible is to protect the marine ecosystems within marine protected areas. With low tourism, exceptional wildlife diversity and strong working relationships between all stakeholders, Laamu Atoll is the ideal location to develop and showcase a well-managed, protected marine reserve. 

BLUE, together with its national and local partners, are working towards creating effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Laamu Atoll. These MPAs will seek to combine effective management of small-scale fisheries and reef protection in a network of locally supported and effectively managed reserves.

How are we doing this? Using scientific surveys of coral reefs, seagrass and mangrove forests, combined with interviews from local people, BLUE’s strategy is to map vulnerable habitats in Laamu and identify how these areas are being used. Once identified, this information will be used to design management interventions. Throughout this process we will continue to invest in the community and build capacity for local conservationists who can play a key role in the marine reserve management.

Rich with thriving reefs, the MPAs will support Laamu’s communities by safeguarding a consistent supply of large fish and maintaining climate resilient reefs to protect their islands from erosion. What’s more, with its bountiful marine life, the MPAs will guarantee private, luxury and electrifying snorkeling and diving experiences for tourists, making Laamu an even more sought after destination within the Maldives. 

Implementing a well-managed MPAs in Laamu would act as an exemplar of good management practice, both in terms of public/private partnership, strong community participation, good scientific input and tangible, measurable results under- and above water. It would form the basis of a model that could be rolled out to other atolls; it would be a regional exemplar of excellence in ocean conservation; it would be a feat others would look up to and learn from.