Fehurihi - Whale Shark
A short documentary that explores the culture, history, conservation and future of the Whale Shark in the Maldives - through stories from the local people.
The film celebrates the conservation work of the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) a scientific research charity conducting whale shark research from the small Island of Dhigurah in the South Ari Atoll. We hear from two locals on the island who remember the whale sharks being hunted before the ban in 1995, and their thoughts on the whale sharks now and for the future. We also explore the effects of unregulated tourism, and the impact this can have on the whale sharks. We hear about solutions though community engagement and citizen science and suggestions from the MWSRP to help keep the sharks safe into the future.
An important message for people to take away is if you are seeking encounters with wildlife, you should ask lots of questions and conduct your own research into tour operators and programs thoroughly before committing. You can then confidently choose to support operators that contribute to the local economy and conservation and try to minimise their negative impacts on the environment.
26 авг 2024
