The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has called on tourism stakeholders to implement the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to instil measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the ongoing mass coral bleaching event.
In a statement issued today, MATI said it fully supports the measures taken by the EPA.
"We urge all of our members and all stakeholders of the tourism industry to provide full cooperation and adhere to these mitigation measures. We are confident that effective implementation of these measures will undoubtedly aid in lessening the effects of the current mass coral bleaching event, identified by experts as one of the most severe on record," the statement read.
The measures announced by EPA include the temporary halt of all major coastal development projects and activities until June 10.
It includes the suspension of land reclamation, dredging, beach nourishment, sand pumping, installation of pipelines and cables on reefs and construction of bund walls.
The EPA said minimizing cumulative stressors and management actions can help reefs cope with or recover from coral bleaching events and build resilience against future disturbances related to climate change.
MATI is run by some of the pioneers of the tourism industry in Maldives. Almost all the major resorts in Maldives participate in the association. The chairman of MATI is Mohamed Umar Manik.
