Mantas are top earners in the Maldives

The Republic of Maldives is an archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean and is made up of a chain of 26 low-lying atolls. The Maldivian economy is based almost entirely on fisheries and tourism. The latter is generated via exclusive island resorts, boat tours, and liveaboard operators.

In the dive industry, the Maldives are famous for their lagoons where whale sharks and manta rays congregate to feed. They are a major attraction for tourist divers and snorkelers. Recently, several locations for tiger shark encounters have been promoted, and attaining protective status for these sharks will be crucial. Current data focuses on manta rays, (Manta alfredi).

Highlights from this research paper by Anderson et al. state:

• Ninety-one manta dive sites were identified, where tourists made an estimated 143,000 dives and over 14,000 snorkels annually during 2006–2008.

• This was estimated to be worth about US$8.1 million per year in direct revenue.

• The growth of manta ray watching has provided support for both research and conservation in the Maldives.

As with all things, it’s a matter of scale. Too many tourists spell trouble. A large number of visiting divers and snorkelers will have a negative impact on the animals and the ecosystem. This is something that can all operators and agencies must address via regulations and management plans that prioritize the conservation of the reefs and the marine flora and fauna.

For more info, request the full research paper here: Extent and Economic Value of Manta Ray Watching in Maldives by Anderson et al., 2011.