Central Indian Ocean
such as sharks and manta rays). Whale and dolphin watching is beginning in some areas. The impacts of tourism are
localized, but may be significant in certain sites. Impacts
include direct diver and anchor damage, interruption of
sand movements through the building of groynes or jetties,
localized eutrophication from direct sewage discharge into
the lagoons, and thermal pollution from desalination
plants. Solid waste disposal is a significant problem in
most areas. Undoubtedly the greatest concern for this
entire nation is the impact of climate change. Coral
bleaching and mortality have already caused significant
problems: in the future such events will be exacerbated by
sea-level rise, and may be further compounded by reduced
calcification rates on surviving corals.
Protected areas with coral reefs
f Site name
Designation
Abbreviation
lUCN cat.
Size ikm^i
Year
Maldives
Anemone City
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Banana Reef
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Devana Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Dhigali Haa
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Embudu Channel
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Filitheyo Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Fish Head
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Fushi Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Fushivaru Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Guraidhoo Channel
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
HP Reef
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Hakura Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Hans Place
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Kadu Rah Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Karl Beyru Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Kuda Haa
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Kuredhu Express
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Lions Head
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Maaya Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Madivaru
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Makundhoo Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Nasimo Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Orimas Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Rasfari
Dive Site
,
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Vattaru Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
During the 1 998 coral bleaching event the majority of corals died. The darker branches on this colony have already died
and become overgrown with filamentous algae.
such as sharks and manta rays). Whale and dolphin watching is beginning in some areas. The impacts of tourism are
localized, but may be significant in certain sites. Impacts
include direct diver and anchor damage, interruption of
sand movements through the building of groynes or jetties,
localized eutrophication from direct sewage discharge into
the lagoons, and thermal pollution from desalination
plants. Solid waste disposal is a significant problem in
most areas. Undoubtedly the greatest concern for this
entire nation is the impact of climate change. Coral
bleaching and mortality have already caused significant
problems: in the future such events will be exacerbated by
sea-level rise, and may be further compounded by reduced
calcification rates on surviving corals.
Protected areas with coral reefs
f Site name
Designation
Abbreviation
lUCN cat.
Size ikm^i
Year
Maldives
Anemone City
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Banana Reef
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Devana Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Dhigali Haa
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Embudu Channel
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Filitheyo Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Fish Head
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Fushi Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Fushivaru Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Guraidhoo Channel
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
HP Reef
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Hakura Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Hans Place
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Kadu Rah Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Karl Beyru Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Kuda Haa
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Kuredhu Express
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Lions Head
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Maaya Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Madivaru
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Makundhoo Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Nasimo Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
Orimas Thila
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Rasfari
Dive Site
,
DS
Unassigned
na
1995
Vattaru Kandu
Dive Site
DS
Unassigned
na
1999
During the 1 998 coral bleaching event the majority of corals died. The darker branches on this colony have already died
and become overgrown with filamentous algae.