Guidelines Established for Interactions with Protected Animals, Turtles, and Rays

The Environment Ministry has published an official notice in the state gazette outlining procedures for interacting with protected animals, including turtles and rays.

This policy has been incorporated as an amendment to the Regulations for the Protection of Natural or Indigenous Wildlife, specifically as the 6th amendment.

Previously, guidelines were in place for dealing with certain protected species, including rules for responsible behavior in natural environments.

The new policy defines the protocols for safeguarding the ecology of four distinct protected species, namely:

Turtles

Maldivian Black Turtles

All species of Rays

Protected bird species

The policy also specifies guidelines for activities like swimming or diving in the vicinity of turtle families, Maldivian Black Turtles, and rays. It stipulates that the nearest distance between a person and a turtle should be six feet. For Maldivian Black Turtles, a minimum one-meter distance must be maintained, while for rays, people should keep a distance of at least three meters.

In the Maldives, swimming and interacting with these creatures are common practices for tourism purposes.

The policy addresses the proximity allowed when approaching protected bird species, emphasizing that a distance of two meters should be maintained.

The policy also outlines procedures for encounters with these animals while using various types of vessels. It offers detailed guidance on how people should behave in the presence of these creatures and how they should be handled if they are injured or in distress.