Seeking Ecologically Responsible Liveaboard Advice for Maldives

[scubaozy]

Hi,
Thanks for the help. Do you have any boat/divemaster/agency suggestions?

As I wrote, Emperor is ok from my experience, you might consider avoiding the southern routes as most of the shark enthusiasts will be on those trips and more likely to experience shark feeding. I was most recent on Spirit of Maldives and there was no shark feeding.

 

[PK1]

Hi,

My wife and I have previously joined liveaboards in Komodo, Raja Ampat, the Sea of Cortez (Mexico), and the Red Sea. We've also done land-based diving in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Mexico. We're now considering a liveaboard in the Maldives, as Galápagos and Socorro are currently a bit out of budget.

However, I have some serious concerns about shark/ray feeding and the general “circus-like” atmosphere that can sometimes occur on certain dives (with Oslob being an extreme example). I’d honestly prefer a dive with no shark sightings at all over one where animals are lured or stressed for human entertainment. I get easily agitated when divers or guides shine lights directly into animals' eyes during night dives, touch corals, or otherwise disturb marine life.

Given this, I’d love your input:

• Does a liveaboard in the Maldives make sense for someone with these concerns?
• Can we realistically avoid feeding dives altogether?
• Even if our boat doesn’t participate in feeding, is there a risk we’ll encounter it due to other boats in the same area?
• Is it truly possible to isolate ourselves from such non-ecological practices while still enjoying the Maldives diving experience?

I really appreciate your help and any insights you can share.

I just posted a trip report that touched on just this issue. I spent a week on the Emperor Explorer. A beautiful boat and super attentive service. Except for one problem. The tour director insisted on engaging in the practice of Light Pooling; shining bright spot lights from the boat at night to attract ocean critters, particularly Whale Sharks and Mantas. This practice has been prohibited in the Maldives, at least with respect to Whale Sharks, since last year. But when I informed the tour director of this he first insisted I was wrong, and then when I showed him a copy of the relevant regulation, he basically ignored me, continuing the practice for the remainder of that night and the next. I won't be repeating with this company as I believe it is incumbent on us as divers to call out bad behavior and give our business to operators who walk the talk when it comes to environmental sustainability.

 

[Bubblesong]

Before signing up, ask the tour operator if they adhere. Change takes time.
Here is lil for all to read reg: Maldives strengthens whale shark conservation with new national regulation | TTG Asia.

 

[v g]

I just posted a trip report that touched on just this issue. I spent a week on the Emperor Explorer. A beautiful boat and super attentive service. Except for one problem. The tour director insisted on engaging in the practice of Light Pooling; shining bright spot lights from the boat at night to attract ocean critters, particularly Whale Sharks and Mantas. This practice has been prohibited in the Maldives, at least with respect to Whale Sharks, since last year. But when I informed the tour director of this he first insisted I was wrong, and then when I showed him a copy of the relevant regulation, he basically ignored me, continuing the practice for the remainder of that night and the next. I won't be repeating with this company as I believe it is incumbent on us as divers to call out bad behavior and give our business to operators who walk the talk when it comes to environmental sustainability.

Thanks, I read the report and will pay attention to it when I decide to book something. Also I appreciate you standing up, not something many people- including me- would/could do due to social pressure of "not disturbing the nice atmosphere in the boat".