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Diver numbers may affect manta aggregation in Maldives

Article Summary:

Dive magazine has reported that the crowd scenes that occurred during this years manta aggregation at Hanifaru in the Baa Atoll, Maldives may well drive the mantas away. Up to 200 divers and snorkelers were observed in the water at the same time, despite a regulation stipulating that this number must not exceed 80. The possibility of aggregations of up to 250 mantas at a time has massively increased the sites popularity over the past three years. Guy Stevens, director of the Maldives Manta Ray Project and marine biologist at Four Seasons Resort in Landaa Giraavaru, says:

“Hanifaru is an amazing place, but it’s also a place that, if we’re not careful, will be destroyed,” and “no-one will arrive at the site and willingly forgo diving or snorkeling because it is already full. I would like to see enforcement of the regulations - this year it was a mess.”