InterContinental Maldives earns important shark & ray area status

Following the resort’s ongoing partnership with the Manta Trust, one of the world’s leading manta ray research and conservation organisations, and the extensive research carried out by the on-site team, this new status grants the lagoon global recognition highlighting it as a critical habitat for manta rays and an area of conservation priority. This announcement follows years of scientific research and data, which has been supported by the resort, and is a step towards future protective measures to be implemented in the surrounding area to enforce conservation. This new announcement forms part of the Manta Trust’s ongoing research to secure the area as a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

Recognising the unique privilege of occupying an island in such close proximity to a newly discovered juvenile reef manta ray feeding ground, InterContinental Maldives began working in collaboration with the Manta Trust in 2019. The area around the resort is home to a large and healthy population of reef manta rays which provides Manta Trust researchers based at the resort incredible access to study these animals. 

Alongside the lagoon of Maamunagau, additional sites in the surrounding area have been designated as ISRAS: Dhikkuredhoo & Madivaafaru (roughly 30 minutes from the resort and a spot for guests to snorkel with mantas, with chances to witness mass feeding events from June – November) and 
Vandhoo & Kottefaru.

Jess Haines, PhD Researcher for The Manta Trust, comments “It’s a wonderful achievement to see several areas in Raa Atoll designated as Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs). This milestone reflects the importance of the Manta Trust data collection efforts, which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the resort. I look forward to continue working with the data to produce exciting research papers through my PhD and work towards protecting these crucial marine habitats for young mantra rays."