Noo Raajje’s ambitious Ocean Use Survey has reached its halfway milestone, with nearly 1,900 responses, representing 7,500 ocean users from 16 atolls across the Maldives. Since the launch, the survey has been met with enthusiasm from Maldivians. The impressive participation from community members has made this survey the largest Ocean Use Survey to date. The survey examines how local waters are used by fisherfolk, local communities, individuals, the tourism sector, and others.

Over the past three months, 18 Noo Raajje facilitators have been talking to communities across the nation to ensure widespread representation across all 16 ocean use sectors identified for the survey. With 71% of Maldivians relying on the ocean as their primary source of income, a successful Maldivian economy, led by fisheries and tourism, is dependent on healthy and vibrant ocean ecosystems.

The Ocean Use Survey is part of Noo Raajje’s science based, community driven Marine Spatial Planning process that seeks to strengthen the government’s blue economy initiatives by promoting sustainable fisheries practices and tourism activities. The results of the survey will also be used to help identify conservation areas to reach the administration’s target of preserving at least 20% of the Maldivian ocean and its resources، to ensure sustainable development and advancement of blue economy strategy initiatives in the Maldives.

Noo Raajje is still seeking additional input on how the oceans are utilized by stakeholders around the country in order to ensure widespread representation. The team of facilitators will continue traveling throughout the Maldives in order to reach each inhabited  island. Interested participants who want to influence the future of the nation’s ocean can also schedule time with a facilitator or complete the survey independently. Visit www.nooraajje.org/oceanusesurvey to learn more.