Ministry of Tourism, Ocean Geographic and Maldives Alliance for Dive Operators (MODO) are set to hold an international photo competition with a diving event to mark the 50th anniversary of tourism in the Maldives.
The event will be held on September 29. At the event, divers will simultaneously dive at the top 50 diving points in the Maldives. The photo competition will be held during this dive.
Local and international photographers will also be able to participate in the competition. Foreign photographers will have to pay a participation fee of 10 dollars although, Maldivian photographers will be able to participate free of charge.
Three of the most beautiful photos taken in the competition will be included in the special book for the dive. The best photos will be included in the Underwater Exhibition held in January next year. Tourism Ministry has assured that full credits will be provided to the photographers when using the photos.
The top 50 dive sites in the Maldives will be selected for the event through nominations. Each atoll council will nominate one dive site while each resort will nominate three sites. The remaining sites will be nominated by the sponsors of the event.
Dive centers, resorts and liveaboards will be able to participate in the event. They are required to pay a fee of 85 dollars to participate.
Director and Publisher of Ocean Geographic Michael said the images taken at the same time from dive points at the event will make it easier to conduct research on Maldivian reefs. He also said that the purpose of the event was to inform the world that the Maldivian reefs are alive and full of life.
Michael said that the dive is planned to be held every year.
The Maldives has one of the most beautiful reefs in the world. As a result of our event, the photos taken during the event can be used to determine the state of the Maldivian reefs. If the event is held every year, we are receiving an update every year. It will be easier to conduct researches: Michael
Additional gifts will be presented to the participants on the day of the diving event. On that day, divers doing the 50th dives will receive a PADI and SSI card, while those who turn 50 on that day will receive a gift from dive operators.
In connection to the dive event, 150 photos will be included in next year's underwater exhibition. This is a world record.
The dive and photography competition will be held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm on September 29. The winners of the competition will be announced on October 2. Photos of the competition will be judged by a panel of local and foreign judges.