The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Maldives, and Huawei have launched a new initiative to modernise the management of the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) under the Tech4Nature programme. The project aims to safeguard the region’s iconic whale shark population while balancing the growing pressures of tourism through the use of digital technology and real-time monitoring tools.
SAMPA is the Maldives’ largest marine protected area and a globally important year-round aggregation site for whale sharks, attracting thousands of visitors annually. Its vast size and multiple access points make traditional monitoring challenging. The Tech4Nature project will equip rangers with digital observation and communication tools to improve patrol efficiency, track tourism species interactions, and strengthen on-site enforcement.
Enhanced data collection and communication will support science-based decision-making, improve visitor safety, reduce harmful human wildlife interactions, and increase compliance with conservation regulations. The initiative also supports SAMPA’s journey towards inclusion in the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, ensuring conservation efforts are measurable, transparent, and effective.
The project was officially launched at the Maldives Protected and Conserved Areas Forum 2026 and forms part of the global Tech4Nature partnership, co-led by IUCN and Huawei since 2020. It will also include training for rangers on the IUCN Green List Standard and a baseline site assessment to identify strengths and gaps in management.
Officials said the project highlights how technology can drive sustainable and community-focused conservation.
