Delivering technical assistance on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Maldives

Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME)

The results for each assessment have been summarised in a final report entitled Report of Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluations for three sites in the Maldives. The report also provides a detailed step by step guide on the methodology used and recommendations to improve management effectiveness both for the individual sites assessed and for MPAs across the Maldives. It was launched during a workshop on MPA management in January 2023. Additional publications linked to this area of work can be found in the Resources section including a stakeholder survey report and leaflets summarising the findings for each marine site. 

Since undertaking the initial PAME pilot study the OCPP has continued to support training of protected and conserved area (PCA) staff and stakeholders to undertake PAME evaluations using the METT-4 methodology. Training has included two workshops:

1. Theoretical training for PCA managers at the Maldives PCA Forum, please refer to the Forum report for more information.
2. Practical training for PCA managers and stakeholders to undertake evaluations for Huraa Mangrove Protected Area and South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA). A workshop report titled ‘Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) Practical Training 2025’ provides an overview of this training.

The OCPP is currently supporting the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and associated management teams, including Fuvahmulah City Council and Biosphere Reserve staff, to validate and finalise METT-4 evaluations for three MPAs: SAMPA, Huraa Mangrove Area and Farikede Area.

MPA Management Framework (including MPA Management Plans and Research & Monitoring Plans)

The Maldives National Framework for Management of Protected and Conserved Areas sets out the context for MPAs and OECMs in Maldives and outlines national approaches to management including key principles and tools to deliver effective management. Guidance on SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) Management Plans for MPAs and OECMs entitled 'Maldives National Management Plan Guidance for Protected and Conserved Areas' has also been developed under the Management Framework to support site managers in writing and developing Management Plans (now referred to as Conservation Action Plans in Maldives). Advice for creating Research and Monitoring Plans is also in development. 

Working with partners in the Maldives and local contractors, the OCPP and Ministry of Tourism and Environment have provided MPA Management Plan training workshops for local Councils and stakeholders across Maldives. The training aims to improve the understanding of the new National Management Framework and Management Plan Guidance and how to apply them to develop Management Plans. Reports from the training are available in the resources section.

Additionally, the OCPP is supporting the development of Management Plans for selected MPAs across Maldives. Plans for three sites (Guraidhoo Kanduolhi MPA, Dharavandhoo Thila MPA and Finey Thila MPA) were developed by Island Wetlands, a local consultancy, on behalf of the OCPP and Ministry of Tourism and Environment. Whilst the OCPP is directly supporting the Ministry and Fuvahmulah City Council in developing a Management Plan for Farikede MPA in Fuvahmulah Biosphere Reserve. All Management Plans have been  developed in accordance with the National Management Plan Guidance for Protected and Conserved Areas (August 2024), with extensive stakeholder consultations.

Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS)

MPA Communications & Awareness Raising

As part of this work, the OCPP has produced:

• Three infographics which explain what MPAs are, their roles, their benefits, and the different types of designation in Maldives. The infographics focus on: 'What is an MPA?', 'MPAs in the Maldives' and "Grouper aggregations and MPAs".
• Three sets of posters/banners (portrait and landscape orientation) aimed at raising awareness of MPAs and introducing their role.

All these materials are available to access from the resources section.

We are also supporting the development of a Protected Sites government website which will highlight all MPAs in the Maldives and provide access to associated management materials.

Emergency Response

Environmental Impact Assessments

Maldives Protected and Conserved Areas Forum 2024

Shark Diving Management Support

Seabird Review

A variety of breeding, migratory, and overwintering birds from diverse species guilds occur across the Maldives. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment placed 207 bird species under national protection in 2021 (Protected Species Regulation (2021R-25).

At the request of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), OCPP contracted experts to undertake a review of seabirds in Maldives. Twenty-nine of the 207 species were short-listed based on conservation-priority criteria (those being breeding species and regular non-breeding visitors). This report provides an indication of archipelago-wide breeding and non-breeding distributions for these 29 species on an atoll-level, based on 37 interviews with knowledgeable and expert local community members. The report is available in the resource list below.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) review

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) refers to the intentional integration of gender and social equity considerations into development programmes, policies, and practices. It aims to address systemic inequalities by promoting the participation, rights, and empowerment of marginalized groups, including women, people with disabilities, and other socially excluded communities. SEAH aims to safeguard the rights and dignity of all participants by preventing any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment within the programme's scope.

In 2024-25, the OCPP sought advisory support on GESI and SEAH consideration in their activities in the Maldives, and contracted out a package of work focused on improving incorporation of GESI in their activities. The contract included three main components:

1. A desk-based review of the GESI and SEAH prevention status in the Maldives including identifying marginalised groups and the status of GESI focused work currently occurring in country.
2. A review of OCPP’s activities in the Maldives, based on 4 case studies, and recommendations on how to incorporate these aspects better in future activities.
3. A workshop to explore GESI integrations across the environmental sector in the Maldives, held in February 2025. The workshop gathered stakeholders across the environmental sector, and aimed to:
   • Raise awareness of GESI and SEAH principles in policy and practice. 
   • Identify challenges faced by vulnerable groups in the sector. 
   • Share best practices and case studies on GESI integration. 
   • Develop actionable recommendations to make sector activities more GESI-sensitive and transformative.

Outputs from this contract are available in the resources section.

Marine Career Case Studies

The Maldives is home to a rich environment, and biodiversity supports over 90% of Maldives GDP. In partnership with Maldives National University, OCPP ran a contract to develop a series of case studies mapping career pathways in the environmental sector in Maldives. The contract spoke to a range of people working in marine and environmental jobs and aimed to raise awareness of the sorts of jobs available across these sectors.