Environmental Protection Agency EPA has fined a foreign sea vessel for illegally entering the Hanifaru Protected Area of Baa Atoll last month.
In a statement, EPA said that on 4th January 2021, a yacht named 'Vitalian 2 London' had illegally entered the protected area of Hanifaru and that the passengers on the vessel had kite surfed in the area. EPA also said that the passengers had embarked on the island of Hanifaru which is also part of the protected area.
The Agency has the vessel had violated the regulation passed to ensure that the Hanifaru area in Baa Atoll remained as a protected site.
EPA said that a fine of MVR 6000 has been imposed on the foreign vessel yesterday. EPA also said that the vessel's local agent, Asia Pacific Super Yachts Pvt Ltd had been instructed to pay the fine within 30 days.
Hanifaru was declared protected on 5 June 2009 and the protected area of coverage includes the uninhabited island of Hanifaru and the reef of Hanifaru extending to 200m.
EPA had last month issued a notice urging all foreign see vessels to seek its approval before entering protected areas across the Maldives.
It had also said that the agency would take action against those violating its orders.
