Tourism Ministry in collaboration with Ocean Geographic Society will hold a special photo contest will to gauge the health of Maldives' reefs on September 28.
With the "Maldives 50 Best Sites" website officially launched o September 5, to mark the 50th anniversary of tourism in Maldives, registration for the photo contest is now open.
Registration was officially opened by Maldives veteran diver Hussain Rasheed (Sandy).
Photos of 50 dive sites selected for the competition will be submitted. Information on the dive site will be available on the new website.
"We will conduct this competition every year. The main objective is to submit photos of these 50 dive sites and identify the changes from year to year," Tourism Minister Dr. Abdullah Mausoom said at the virtual ceremony.
He thanked the atoll councils, resorts and dive centers for their assistance in the selection of the dive sites.
Michael AW, Director of the Ocean Geographic Society and renowned marine photographer, said e-tourism is a good project to celebrate the golden jubilee of Maldives and understand the health of Maldives' reefs.
"The photos taken in this competition will tell us if there is any damage or caused to the reef and if there is a need for more inspection. Then we can use the photos as evidence when we submit the matter to relevant authorities," said diver Hussain Rasheed.
He said the competition and website will promote Maldives underwater scenery to different parts of the world, creating opportunities for new underwater photographers.
Those interested in participating in the photo contest can register through the website. Resorts, dive centers, dive schools and safaris are encouraged to participate in the competition.
Tourists and the public can participate in the photo contest. Each participant is required to take photos of the 50 designated dive sites between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Photos can be submitted between 8:30 a.m. and 12 a.m. midnight of the same day.
Participants are required to submit a fee of USD 10 to enter the contest. However, locals can participate in the tournament free of charge.
The competition will be judged by a panel of international experts. The winners will receive special prizes, according to Ocean Geographic. Winners of the contest will be announced on October 5.
More information about the competition can be found on the website "Maldives Best 50 Sites".
Sign In
