Divers stopped from going to Dhonfanu reef

The Local Government Authority (LGA) has stated that B. Dhonfanu Council had prohibited diving and snorkeling in the island's reefs against the law and that their decision should be reversed, with divers who went to experience the island reef being stopped.

The Dhonfanu reef is a popular tourist destination, with diving and snorkeling 700 meters past the reef being prohibited by the council yesterday citing that protests were taking place on the area that was earlier marked to be dredged. However, the LGA has stated that the council’s ruling is against the law.

Boats that had made their way to the area have been stopped by protesters on the water.

Videos of protesters stopping divers from going into the water have also been shared on social media.

As per the videos, Dhonfanu residents had approached a dive boat and said that they were not to dive in the area. A heated exchange also took place due to it. 

Dhonfanu protesters who were protesting on the boat said to leave the area. The divers refused and said that they cannot be stopped.

It can be heard on the video on social media that they state Dhonfanu reef is not only for the residents of the island.

Some people have criticized the video stating that it will harm tourism.

The council has not weighed in on the situation as of yet. However, the council has said that protests will keep taking place unless the government reverses their decision to not dredge land for the island. The council also said that residents from other islands have been turning up to the protests and caused difficulties as the protests were announced.

Regarding Dhonfanu Council’s announcement, LGA said last night that everyone was permitted to do everything that was legal within the boundaries of the council areas as long as it was within the laws and is not restricted as a biosphere reserve under legislation. “And the council wouldn’t have the jurisdiction to make such decisions, and hence we reverse the council’s decision,” as per the statement.

The Maldives Association for Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) stated last night that the council making it so that Hanifaru Bay cannot be entered will only sully the name of Maldives.

MATATO’s statement also said that among the 700 meter area that was prohibited, it includes an area that is widely used by safari boats and guest houses.

“...It’s not just one community, thousands of jobs, guest houses, safari boats and resorts that depend on this area of the sea are also affected,” as was said in MATATO’s statement.

This week saw this issue escalate after the government reversed the decision to reclaim land in Dhonfanu after the dredging project had already been handed to MTCC last month. The project to dredge the area would have harmed Hanifaru Bay, which lies around a kilometre from Dhonfanu. The project was brought to a halt by the government as they had been told about the possible harm by environmental organizations.