CHAPTER 13 • Coastal Zone Management: Issues and Initiatives in Small South Asian Nations 245
13.4.2.5
Overfishing
In Maldives, fishing is almost entirely carried out by small motorized craft using poleand-line for skipjack and other tuna and longlining for shark. As a consequence of the
use of non-destructive fishing gear, the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is
largely underexploited, except by fishing gear from neighbouring countries. The use
of illegal fishing methods, lethal chemicals and destructive gear, though not very common does, however, pose a threat. Some of the species exported are very rare and vulnerable to overexploitation.
Any threat to the Maldivian fisheries would affect the country's economy, as natural resources are very limited and the country is highly dependent on this particular
sector. Based on a review of the status of the environmental threats, the following conclusions are made:
• Coral and sand mining, land reclamation and sewage disposal create local environmental degradation in shallow reef habitats. These activities have negligible effects
on deep sea habitats and open sea, which are the grounds for commercial fishing.
• Mined reef flats, when compared to the unmined ones, support fewer varieties and
less biomass of reef fish.
• Reef-associated species, excluding fish are susceptible to overexploitation. Present
threats to fisheries are connected to this problem rather than with pollution or other
forms of environmental degradation.
13.4.3
Coastal Area Management Initiatives
Only in recent years has the environment become an issue in Maldives. Compared to
the other countries in' the region, it remains relatively free of urgent environmental
problems. Most environmental efforts in the country have focused on coral reef conservation and management, given the fact that the country depends for its existence
on these fragile ecosystems. While coastal area management initiatives are more appropriate for large continental masses, for a country like the Maldives it is the concept
of coral r.eef management that has more relevance.
The Environmental Affairs Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Social Service was created in 1984, in recognition of the growing importance of the environment
sector. At present, the responsibility of all environment -related matters rests with the Ministry of Planning Human Resources and Environment (MOPHERE) formed in 1993.
MOPHERE is also responsible for enforcing the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of 1993. This Act aims at protecting and preserving the environment for the benefit of the future generations. It makes an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mandatory for any new project that has a potential impact on the environment. It also regulates the disposal of wastes, oil, poisonous gases or environmentally harmful substances
within the territory of Maldives and stipulates fines for damage to the environment as well
as compensation for environmental damage. However, the provisions of this Act have been
poorly enforced and many illegal practices persist. The geographically scattered nature
of the country and its population makes effective i~plementation of laws difficult.
13.4.2.5
Overfishing
In Maldives, fishing is almost entirely carried out by small motorized craft using poleand-line for skipjack and other tuna and longlining for shark. As a consequence of the
use of non-destructive fishing gear, the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is
largely underexploited, except by fishing gear from neighbouring countries. The use
of illegal fishing methods, lethal chemicals and destructive gear, though not very common does, however, pose a threat. Some of the species exported are very rare and vulnerable to overexploitation.
Any threat to the Maldivian fisheries would affect the country's economy, as natural resources are very limited and the country is highly dependent on this particular
sector. Based on a review of the status of the environmental threats, the following conclusions are made:
• Coral and sand mining, land reclamation and sewage disposal create local environmental degradation in shallow reef habitats. These activities have negligible effects
on deep sea habitats and open sea, which are the grounds for commercial fishing.
• Mined reef flats, when compared to the unmined ones, support fewer varieties and
less biomass of reef fish.
• Reef-associated species, excluding fish are susceptible to overexploitation. Present
threats to fisheries are connected to this problem rather than with pollution or other
forms of environmental degradation.
13.4.3
Coastal Area Management Initiatives
Only in recent years has the environment become an issue in Maldives. Compared to
the other countries in' the region, it remains relatively free of urgent environmental
problems. Most environmental efforts in the country have focused on coral reef conservation and management, given the fact that the country depends for its existence
on these fragile ecosystems. While coastal area management initiatives are more appropriate for large continental masses, for a country like the Maldives it is the concept
of coral r.eef management that has more relevance.
The Environmental Affairs Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Social Service was created in 1984, in recognition of the growing importance of the environment
sector. At present, the responsibility of all environment -related matters rests with the Ministry of Planning Human Resources and Environment (MOPHERE) formed in 1993.
MOPHERE is also responsible for enforcing the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of 1993. This Act aims at protecting and preserving the environment for the benefit of the future generations. It makes an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mandatory for any new project that has a potential impact on the environment. It also regulates the disposal of wastes, oil, poisonous gases or environmentally harmful substances
within the territory of Maldives and stipulates fines for damage to the environment as well
as compensation for environmental damage. However, the provisions of this Act have been
poorly enforced and many illegal practices persist. The geographically scattered nature
of the country and its population makes effective i~plementation of laws difficult.