EPA Bans Feeding of Rays and Skates in the Maldives

  • Maldives
PUBLISHED 18 January 2025

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an order prohibiting the feeding of all species of rays and skates in the Maldives, citing concerns over the potential impacts on their natural behavior and the environment.


In a statement released yesterday, the EPA highlighted an increasing trend of feeding rays and skates, a practice that poses risks to both marine species and human safety. As rays and skates are protected under the country’s Protected Species Regulation, activities harmful to them, including feeding, are strictly prohibited.


The EPA warned that feeding these marine animals, while a popular activity among locals and tourists, can attract sharks to feeding areas, potentially increasing dangerous incidents. The agency has also recorded a rise in injuries to snorkelers and divers in such areas.


“It is essential that all interactions with protected species be conducted in a manner that prioritizes human safety, sustainability, and the preservation of the environment,” the statement emphasized.


The EPA has made it clear that any violations of the regulation and guidelines will result in legal action against the offenders.