Minister Ali Shareef visited the Hanifaru Marine Protected Area and the protected Mendhoo region today, highlighting the importance of strengthening conservation, monitoring, and management efforts across Baa Atoll’s ecologically significant areas.

During the visit to Hanifaru Bay, the Minister experienced firsthand the bay’s iconic marine life, including its famous gatherings of manta rays. Hanifaru Bay is internationally recognised as one of the Maldives’ most important marine sanctuaries and forms a key part of the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve.

The Minister also met with Rangers working at Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office aboard the Ranger Vessel and received first-hand updates on management, monitoring, and conservation activities, focusing on operational challenges, monitoring activities and ongoing protection protocols.

The field visit continued to the Mendhoo region, where the Minister visited the Nibiligaa Sandbank and later visited Mendhoo Island, where he inspected the pilot Remote Monitoring and Surveillance Station and reviewed the tracking and surveillance measures established on the island and toured the uninhabited island as well.

The visit underscored the importance of effective field-based management, continuous monitoring, and strong conservation measures in safeguarding Baa Atoll’s marine and coastal ecosystems. It also highlighted the dedication of rangers and field teams working to protect these areas and their ecological values.

The Minister was accompanied for the field visit by officials from the Environment Ministry and senior representatives of the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office.