Most fines for vessel reef damage remain unpaid, EPA says

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that only two major fines issued for marine vessels running aground on reefs in the Maldives have been paid to date.

The issue was discussed during a meeting of the Parliament’s Environment and Climate Change Committee, which noted that authorities have been summoned on two occasions in February last year to address the matter. However, no satisfactory response has been received from the institutions involved.

According to information shared during the committee meeting:

The EPA stated that many of the fines involved relatively small sums, ranging from MVR 400,000 to approximately MVR 500,000.

EPA Director General Ibrahim Naeem noted that only two high-value fines have been collected so far:

Naeem added that restoration efforts are currently underway in one of the affected reef areas using the funds from these fines, but did not disclose the location.

He explained that due to environmental changes in the country’s reefs, certain types of damage cannot be naturally restored and require human intervention. Reef rehabilitation is typically undertaken once fines are paid.

Naeem also raised concerns about vessels that are not immediately removed after running aground. He said damage assessments and fines can only be imposed once the vessels are taken out. Until then, no fines can be enforced, resulting in further complications.

“There was previously a regulation that controlled the movement of vessels within reef areas. At present, such regulation does not exist,” Naeem said.