A project jointly led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology is targeting nutrient pollution in the Maldives as part of international efforts to clean up oceans and protect biodiversity.
Excess amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous from agriculture run-off, industry and sewage enter the sea contributing to the formation of algal blooms. Their subsequent decomposition removes oxygen from the water, resulting in marine hypoxia – ‘dead zones’ – which lead to mass deaths of fish and is a severe threat to coral reefs.
The Maldives National University and UKCEH are leading Clean & Healthy Ocean Maldives, working with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
The project will focus on:
-
Developing a national action plan to strengthen policies relating to nitrogen losses, in order to protect marine ecosystems and support sustainable livelihoods.
-
Introducing a system to recover nutrients from untreated sewage in order to produce a liquid fertiliser for farmers.
-
Establishing partnerships between businesses and local communities to promote investment in innovative technologies for recycling or capturing nutrients. Promoting education and public awareness about nutrients.
-
Building capacity to monitor the amount of nutrient pollution in marine ecosystems.
It is one of 13 similar global projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as part of its Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Program delivered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
The Maldives has received a grant of USD 4.5 million, supported by over $49 million USD in pledged in-kind contributions such as expertise and equipment. Project partners include central government, island councils, farmers, tourist businesses and education leaders from the Maldives as well as researchers from the UK and Norway.
An official launch ceremony was held on 4 May, officiated by Ali Shareef, the Maldives Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Energy of the Maldives.
The workshop brought together project partners to review, refine, and consolidate the workplan, align objectives, clarify roles and responsibilities, and establish the foundations for effective implementation and monitoring.