Flags compulsory for vessels entering SAMPA for whale shark sighting

The South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) management plan has been amended to require boats entering the contact area with tourists to watch the whale sharks to have flags hoisted on the vessels.

SAMPA, which was designated 16 years ago in 2009, lies northwest of Alifu Dhaalu, Rangali reef and stretches to the north corner of the atoll's north corner for one kilometre along the outer reef of the islands there.

Hundreds of tourists visit this area, home to the highest number of whale sharks in the Maldives.

However, many dangerous accidents have also taken place at SAMPA, including a recent fatal accident where a speed boat ran over a person. This led to mandatory propellor guards on vessels entering the area.

The amendment to SAMPA's management plan states that vessels would be issued a flag for use when operating in the contact zone. Previously, the plan required vessels to notify the rangers' hotline and pull up flags.

Rangers are still to be notified when authorised vessels enter the area, while vessels operating in the area with snorkelers and divers must share live locations as instructed by the ministry.

The plan also requires vessels to enter the area for tourists to enter the water in a way that would not disrupt the whale sharks' pathway. As a general rule vessels are prohibited from nearing the whale sharks and having tourists enter the water from the reef side.

At any given time, only six vessels, including the rangers' vessel would be allowed into 250 metres of the contact area for whale shark watching. If a whale shark is spotted in the area, the rangers' hotline would have to be notified, and vessels would be arranged in the space in order of the vessel that notified the hotline first.

According to the plan, crew of vessels entering SAMPA must have either captain or crew licences with either a rescue dive level certificate or a snorkelling guide certificate issued by PADI, SSI or an equivalent body.

They are also required to be registered as a SAMPA guide at the agency and have scored at least 90 percent in the agency's exam. Crew must also be generally active in the field and be familiar with the area.

These new revisions will come into effect from July 31 onwards.