Maldives army stops tourists out ‘whale-watching’
The Maldives Coastguard on Wednesday stopped, searched and brought back to shore a group of seven tourists at sea on board a fishing vessel in southern Maldives. The tourists are accused of planning “activities that could harm Maldives’ interests and reputation abroad.”
11 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
The Maldives Coastguard on Wednesday stopped and brought back to shore a group of seven tourists at sea on board a fishing vessel in southern Maldives. The tourists are accused of planning “activities that could harm Maldives’ interests and reputation abroad.”
Girogio Rosi Belliere, an Italian businessman on board the vessel, angrily dismissed the Maldivian coastguard’s claims today, saying the group had been on a whale-watching trip, just 57 nautical miles south of Addu Atoll and well within the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Whales are spotted around 100 nautical miles from the shoreline, he said.
Territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from the shoreline, while the EEZ extends up to 200 miles from the shoreline.
Become a member
Get full access to our archive and personalise your experience.
Already a member?
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
No comments yet. Be the first to join the conversation!
Join the Conversation
Sign in to share your thoughts under an alias and take part in the discussion. Independent journalism thrives on open, respectful debate — your voice matters.
