In partnership with the Green Fins (GF) National Team coordinated by the Environmental Protection Agency and through support from the IUCN Maldives, we here at Reef-World have recently returned from a three week mission to recruit, train and assess new dive centres in Ari Atoll and also finding time to hop over to Baa Atoll briefly. The aim of the IUCN and this trip was to try and harness the energy and knowledge of the dive centres operating in this key area of the Maldives for environmental protection. Due to its proximity and choice of excellent dive spots all within easy reach of many of the resorts, both north and south Ari Atoll (or Alifu Alifu) receive a large number of visitors each year. This presents an excellent opportunity to pass on knowledge and information to the guests that come to visit regarding correct diving techniques, awareness of coral reefs and the importance of protecting them.
The 12 new members (listed below) were all keen to learn how they could improve their various business practices which may otherwise be harming the very environment that their guests come to see. The knowledge of the two Green Fins Maldives Assessors, Hussain Ibrahim and Ahmed Basheer, was critical to help and support these members. Supporting them were Chloe Harvey and James Harvey of Reef-World who is the International Coordinator for Green Fins bringing with them lessons learned from other countries on how challenges such as how to manage guest diving behaviour and alternatives to the use of chemical cleaning agents have been overcome in the past.
It was also a great chance to pass on information about projects supported by the IUCN Maldives and to let people know how they can get involved with various citizen science initiatives such as Sharkwatch, the Manta Mather with the Manta Ecology Project and the Whale Shark project. If you want to know more about these then please email us at info@greenfins.net
We wish the new members all the best with their future endeavours and look forward to hearing many local and national success as they move forward working together as a larger community in the Maldives.
New Green Fins Maldives members
North Ari Atoll | South Ari Atoll | Baa Atoll |
Best Dives Maldives – Madoogali | Best Dives Maldives – Centara | Sea Explorers – Reethi Beach |
Casa Mia Maldives | Island Divers – Dhigurah | |
Dive Centre Ellaidhoo – Dive and Sail | ||
Dive Club Rasdhoo | ||
Down Under and Wave – W Retreat | ||
Euro Divers – Velidhu | ||
TGI Halaveli | ||
TGI Maayafushi | ||
Werner Lau Dive Centre – Bathala |