New Flag Requirement for Vessels in SAMPA’s Whale Shark Watching Area
The management plan for the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) has been amended to require vessels entering the contact area for whale shark watching to display flags while operating there.
Amendments have been made to the Management Plan for the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA). These include extensions to the deadlines for the following requirements:
– Vessel registration,
– SAMPA Crew registration,
– SAMPA Guide certification, and
– Installation of… pic.twitter.com/U0tZXlnQ46— Ministry of Tourism and Environment (@MoTmv) May 1, 2025advertisement
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SAMPA, which was established in 2009, is located northwest of Alifu Dhaalu and extends to the northern corner of the atoll for one kilometre along the outer reef. The area is renowned for being home to the highest number of whale sharks in the Maldives and attracts hundreds of tourists annually.
However, SAMPA has also been the site of several dangerous incidents, including a recent fatality in which a speedboat ran over a person. In response to such accidents, the introduction of mandatory propeller guards on vessels operating in the area was enforced.
The latest amendment to SAMPA’s management plan stipulates that vessels must now use a flag when operating in the contact zone. Previously, vessels were required to notify the rangers’ hotline and raise flags. Under the new regulations, rangers must still be notified when authorised vessels enter the area, and vessels operating with snorkelers or divers are required to share their live location as directed by the Ministry.
The revised plan further mandates that vessels must enter the area in a manner that does not disrupt the whale sharks’ natural pathway. In general, vessels are prohibited from approaching whale sharks closely or allowing tourists to enter the water from the reef side. To limit the impact on the environment, no more than six vessels, including the rangers’ vessel, are allowed within 250 metres of the contact area at any given time. If a whale shark is sighted, the rangers’ hotline must be notified, and vessels will be arranged based on the order in which they notified the hotline.
In addition, all crew members of vessels entering SAMPA are required to hold either a captain’s or crew licence, along with a rescue dive level certificate or a snorkelling guide certificate issued by PADI, SSI, or a similar organisation. The crew must also be registered as SAMPA guides with the agency and achieve a score of at least 90 percent in the agency’s exam. Furthermore, crew members must be actively working in the field and familiar with the area. The revised management plan will come into effect on 31 July.
