Biosphere Reserve Office in Baa Atoll has announced the decision to cancel the Manta Festival 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Launched in 2018, the Manta Festival is an annual festival held jointly by Biosphere Reserve Office in Baa Atoll and UK’s Manta Trust. The Manta Trust is a UK-based manta ray conservation charity, coordinating global research and conservation efforts around manta rays. Biosphere Reserve Office in Baa Atoll revealed next year’s Manta Festival will be held commemorating the World Manta Day.
The first and second manta festival was held in Dharavandhoo and Eydhafushi respectively. The festival aims to inspire the next generation to engage with marine ecology and conservation. The festival includes information sessions conducted by marine biologists and conservation experts and interactive education stalls.