Ministry of Tourism in association with Ocean Geographic and Maldives Alliance of Dive Operators (MADO) is set to launch a new underwater photo competition, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the country’s tourism industry.
To help draw attention to the global heritage and landmark achievement of Maldives, Ocean Geographic is supporting a health assessment photo competition.
This one-day photo shoot-out of Maldives’ 50 best sites is scheduled for 28th September between 07:30hrs and 17:30hrs across 50 pre-selected signature dive sites. The initiative is aimed to “memorialize the unique underwater haven that Maldives has to offer.”
Initially designed to amplify the Golden Jubilee year, the key intention of the initiative shifted to serve as a “health check” of the renowned dive sites. The initiative also serves a secondary motive of providing relevant, up-to-date data of the dive sites.
The organizers encourage resorts, dive centers, dive schools, safari liveaboards and other facilities to register as ‘Official Health Check Centers.’ Each reef Health Check Center may book up to two time slots at one of the 50 pre-selected signature sites.
Visitors and local divers are also encouraged to complete the photo shoot-out. All competitors will be acknowledged with a certificate of achievement for contribution to the Coral Reef Health Assessment of the Maldives.
Competitors must submit a portfolio of five pictures of each site they cover, which include;
- Wide angle of a reef scene x 01
- Close-up of a living coral x 01
- Picture of fish species x 01
- Two other pictures of the photographer’s choice
The organizers report the competition winner, runner-up and three honorable mentions will be awarded for pictures submitted for each dive site, which will total 250 winners across all 50 dive sites.
An international judging panel will preside over the photograph selection. Prizes will be awarded to the winners and runner-ups. First place winners will be granted usage rights of their winning photos to the Reef Health Assessment project and the Ministry of Tourism’s conservation and promotional initiatives.
Results of the initiative will be announced on 05th October 2022.