The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of the Maldives has fined the owners of a barge and tugboat 29 million rufiyaa for damage caused to the Hulhumalé reef.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of the Maldives has fined the owners of a barge and tugboat 29 million rufiyaa for damage caused to the Hulhumalé reef.
The vessels, "Anandhi" (tugboat) and "AM Manumithu" (barge), belonging to The Middle East Marine LLC, a UAE company, ran aground on the northern reef of Hulhumalé on February 21 and were removed on April 23.
A joint survey conducted by EPA and surveyors appointed by the vessel owners revealed severe damage to 1,159 square meters of the reef. The fine was imposed under regulations for environmental damages, part of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives. The owners have been given 30 days from the beginning of the month to pay the fine.
ހުޅުމާލެ ދެވަނަ ފިޔަވަހީގެ އުތުރު ފަރާތު ފަރައް ޓަގު އަރާފަތަ؟ ނޫނީ އަރުވާލާފަތަ؟ @EPAMaldives @hdcmaldives pic.twitter.com/ItFCiOzXsx
— Dopamine🎈❓ (@GraveBone) February 22, 2024
This incident is not isolated. In 2022, a research vessel conducting surveys for a submarine cable project by Jio, a subsidiary of India's Reliance, caused significant damage to the eastern reef of Hulhumalé. The company was fined 200,000 rufiyaa, but the payment status remains unclear.
EPA Director General Ibrahim Naeem confirmed that they are investigating the recent grounding incident and promised to provide more details via email when asked about the vessels' ownership.
Foreign vessels running aground on Maldivian reefs have been a recurring issue, resulting in millions of rufiyaa in fines. However, the EPA notes that only a small number of these fines are actually paid, highlighting a challenge in enforcing environmental protection measures in the region..
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