The Maldives spent four years and millions of dollars conducting what was described as the world’s largest ocean-use survey.
Surveyors visited 189 islands and collected nearly 5,000 responses, mapping where Maldivians fish, dive and depend on the ocean for their livelihoods. The goal was a legally-binding marine spatial plan that would reduce conflicts between ocean users and protect 20 percent of the country’s waters.
But six years after the project was launched, no marine spatial plan has emerged. The project is now understood to be on hold, while large-scale reclamation and infrastructure projects continue across the country.
So what happened to the data — and why isn’t it being used?
Read the full story:
https://maldivesindependent.com/environment/the-maldives-conducted-a-historic-ocean-use-survey-what-has-it-done-with-the-results-a506

