Rasfari reef

EPA to Reopen EOI for Reef Restoration

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will reopen the call for expressions of interest for the large-scale restoration of Rasfari reef in Malé Atoll, following damages from the MV Navios Amaryllis grounding on 18 August 2021. The original announcement in January was annulled due to fees exceeding the budget. EPA Director General Ibrahim Naeem stated that coral aquaculture is already ongoing at the reef and that the project aims for an official launch next month. Initial assessments found 8,867 square metres of reef severely damaged. The vessel's owner was initially fined MVR 893 million, later reduced to MVR 254 million, which was paid to the Maldives Monetary Authority—the largest fine ever recovered under the Environmental Act.