The government has released a plan to manage the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) in Alif Dhaal atoll with rules requiring propeller guard on vessels.

SAMPA is a world-renowned area where whale sharks can be seen throughout the year. It is also famous for its reef and marine life.

The area was protected in 2009 and is the largest protected area in the Maldives encompassing 42 square kilometres of coral reef habitat

According to the management plan publicized on Saturday, the Environment Ministry has the power for implementation.

An advisory committee must be formed with officials from Environment Ministry, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Defense Ministry, Fisheries Ministry, Police, Alif Dhaal atoll council, island councils in the region, tourism businesses and NGOs.

It requires safety guards on the propellers of vessels near whale shark points. Tourists from the closest four vessels can enter the water if a whale shark is spotted and a maximum of 60 people can be in the water at a time.

The plan also outlines many of the requirements and prohibitions in the area.

Under the plan, the ministry must train specialists to monitor the area, to protect the area and check compliance with the rules.

Many tourists visit the area, but proper monitoring has not been carried out so far. This has caused tragic incidents and resulted in several deaths.

Two tourists have lost their lives in recent incidents.

The latest death was a 55-year-old man from Argentina who was hit by a launch while swimming outside the Radisson Blu Maldives Resort.

In November, a 15-year-old Singaporean girl visiting the Maldives on a study tour also died after being hit by a boat propeller near Dhigurah island.