Hanifaru Manta Season 2019
We would like to welcome all Hanifaru Protected Area users to Manta Season 2019.
As we start counting the days of May today, we kindly advise you when visiting Hanifaru MPA, to strictly follow the Hanifaru Management Plan and hereby highlight the following:
1. Please follow Hanifaru schedule when visiting Hanifaru MPA.
2. Inform Ranger HOTLINE 7905949 prior to visiting Hanifaru MPA.
3. Access Permits 2018/2019 is available from BR Office (Eydhafushi) and EPA (Male’).
4. Access Permits purchased in 2018 is valid until the end of May 2018.
5. New Access Permits for 2019/2020 will be available from BR Office and Male’ from 1 June 2019 onwards.
6. At a time there can only be maximum of 8 vessels at Hanifaru excluding the Ranger Vessel (5 at moorings and 3 at the waiting area), please make sure to follow this to avoid unnecessary hassles.
7. Although at present it is 1 GUIDE per 10 GUESTS, please look out for the weather, if the weather turns bad make necessary arrangements prior to arriving Hanifaru MPA to have enough GUIDES to look after the guests in the water .
8. Captains of vessels should use a separate rope to moor at Hanifaru when using the existing mooring bouys.
9. As Videography and Photography of Hanifaru requires special permission please ensure that you have all the necessary permits in hand if and when requested by the Rangers.
10. The use of DRONES for any purpose is strictly prohibited at Hanifaru without prior written permission from BR OFFICE.
11. It is the responsibility of HANIFARU TOUR GUIDES to ensure that Hanifaru Regulation is being followed and to ensure that GUESTS as well as BOAT CAPTAINS and CREW are aware of it and the rules are being followed.
We wish you all a very successful Manata Season
Meeting with resorts
Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office together with Baa Atoll Conservation Fund have concluded visits to 12 resorts in the atoll.
The main purpose of the visit to the resorts was introducing the work carried out by Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office especially to the newly opened resort managements and dives schools of the atoll and build on the established partnerships that alreay exists.
During the 5 day trip discussions was held on the activities planned for 2019 under the three programs of Baa Atoll BR Office; CConservation, Education and Awareness and Livelihood.
Information was also be provided on the latest development in relation to World UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and on the upcoming periodic review by UNESCO of Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserveand identifying how new partnerships could be forged with the newly functional establishments.
The team is led by the Managing Director of Baa Atoll Conservation Fund Mr. Abdulla Shibau, accompanied by the Officer in-charge of BR Office Mr.Shafee Ali together with the Conservation Officer and the Rangers who are working at BR Office.
The 5 day trip started on 26 March visiting Westin Maldives, Vakkaru Maldives and Coco Palm Dhunikolhu on the firts day ending the day with a meeting with the Olive Ridley Project Team on Coco Palm Dhunikolhu.
On the second day the team visited Dhigufaru Island Resort, Milaidhoo , Four Seasons Resorts Maldives and Manta Trust where details discussions were held with regards to Manta Festival 2019 and the "Moodhu Madharusaa" - Ocean School organized by Manta Trust to be carried out in Baa Atoll in association with Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office.
On the thrd day the team visited Reethi Beach Resort, Dreamland The Unique Sea & Lake Resort Spa and Dusit Thani Maldives and on the last day the team had the pleasure of visting the newest meber of the resosrt family in Baa Atoll namely The Nautilus.
The trip was a huge success as a lot of issues were covered and way forwards were agreed.
BACF Board Meeding1/2019
The first Board meeting of 2019 of the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund was held on 28 Januray 2019 at the Ministry of Environment and the meetings was attended by 8 participants from 7 stakeholder organisations. (Environment Protection Agency, Four Seasons Maldives at Landaagiraavaru, Local Government Authority, Maldives Boating Association, Baa Atoll Conservation Fund, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office, Ministry of Environment)
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Environmental Protection Agency, Mr.Ibrahim Naeem.
The Agenda items for the day included
(a).Approval and Discussion of BR Office Workplan 2019 and Office/BACF Budget 2019,
(b) Update of activities undertaken BR Office in 2018
(c) Discussions on Hanifaru Management Plan
(d) BACF Grants for the next cycle
(e) Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Periodic Review
(f) Discussion on Other Issues
The following decisions was taken by BACF Board in its meeting held on 28 January 2019:
1. The value of the next cycle of grants from BACF to be officially announced once the Atoll Council has completed all paperwork in relation to the proposed projects to be funded in 2019 upon approval by BACF Board.
2. Priority to be given to Baa Atoll Council as the Grant recipient for 2019 and the Atoll Council to come up with tangible outputs for all islands after communicating with all Island Councils.
3.The Workplan of BR Office 2019 and BR OFFICE/BACF budget as approved as presented.
4. Inform all resorts stating that they should become partners of the BR.
5. Put on hold Dive School partnership agreements until further notice.
5. Inform all stakeholders on Baa Atoll BR periodic review and to seek supportfrom all involved in maintaining the BR status for Baa Atoll.
