Maldives primary whale shark site threatened by port development
13th February 2009
Maldives primary whale shark site threatened by port development
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the government has planned to develop Maamigili harbor as an international harbor. President Nasheed made the statement while speaking to the people of Maamigili on Thursday evening. The president visited Maamigili as part of his ongoing tour of South and North Ari Atoll.
Speaking in this regard, President Nasheed said that the government would find potential investors and partners to invest in the development of the harbor. Furthermore, the government would facilitate the provision of services in the North-Central Province through privatization, public private partnerships and foreign investments, he added.
Speaking on the developmental programs aimed at Maamigili, President Nasheed said that establishing sewerage system and construction of flats would begin this year. In addition, he pledged that during his five year term in office, the government would construct standard roads in the island.
Speaking at the meeting, President Nasheed thanked the people of Maamigili for their contribution in the political reform process. He especially noted the contributions of former minister and Jumhoory Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim.
During his visit to Maamigili, the President visited the island’s Health Centre and Atoll School.
Maamigili Island is located in the centre of the Maldives primary whale shark aggregation area in South Ari atoll. If this site is to become an international harbor the increased levels of shipping could have grave consequences for the whale sharks that gather there year round.
Collisions with vessels is currently the biggest threat to the whale shark population in the Maldives along with poaching and pollution. If such a development is to go ahead then it must be subject to in depth environmental impact assessments. With a total population of no more than 150 sharks an increase of fatalities though collisions with vessels could be catastrophic and cause the population to collapse or move away.
A collapse of the Maldives whale shark population would not just be a environmental disaster, it would be an economic one too. 15 resorts and dozens of live-aboards take groups of tourists to visit Maamigili outer reef every day looking for whale sharks. If carried out in a sustainable manner the potential value of a whale shark tourism is huge.
For example in 2006 at Ningaloo reef, Western Australia 380 eco-tourism excursions, totalling 7600 guests, generated US$ 23 million of revenue in a 4 month period. Potentially, the revenue from year-round Maldivian whale shark eco-tourism if channeled correctly could make a massive difference to the local community.
The MWSRP is currently working to identify the migration route used by the whale sharks that gather in South Ari and in Baa atoll. We have already found that all of the sharks in Baa atoll are the same sharks found in South Ari. If we can identify the 'corridors' the whale sharks are taking then shipping in these areas can be avoided. The team is also working with the South Ari community to make Maamigili reef a marine protected area. Never have either of these actions been so important.
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