Environmental group urges immediate halt to dredging over coral bleaching risk

Local marine conservation group, the Maldives Resilient Reefs (MRR) has issued an urgent appeal to authorities to put a temporary halt to all dredging and land reclamation works, citing risk of a looming coral bleaching event.

In a statement on Monday, the MRR said that as of Saturday, the NOAA Coral Reef Watch has placed the Maldives under a ‘Coral Bleaching Alert Level: Watch’, indicating potential bleaching with low likelihood.

But the group warned that forecasts show a significant escalation within the next 12 weeks, likely reaching ‘Alert Level 1’, where significant bleaching is likely.

The MRR warned that this is a critical window for action.

The group noted that dredging and reclamation increase sedimentation, adding stress to vulnerable corals.

“Taking precautionary measures now is crucial to safeguard our national assets. The Government of Maldives must stop all dredging and reclamation activities until conditions return to normal,” urged the MRR.

The group urged everyone to act now to reduce stress on coral reefs by:

• Stopping all dredging and reclamation until conditions return to normal
• Suspending sand pumping and beach replenishment activities
• Ensuring proper sewage treatment
• Acting responsibly in reef areas

Corals bleach when ocean temperatures stay high for too long. Heat stress causes corals expel the algae that give them color and over 90 percent of their energy.

While they can recover if conditions improve quickly, prolonged high heat can lead to mass coral health.

Maldivian reefs already experienced severe impacts during the global coral bleaching events of 1998, 2016 and 2023.

“With another bleaching risk now on the horizon, every action that reduces local stress on reefs can improve their chances of survival,” warned the MRR.