Maaya Thila is merely a tiny drop in our ocean, but its dynamics are in every essence a vital link in the cycle of life on Earth. Albeit providing sustenance to one of the most prolific reef diversities in the tropical sea, Maaya Thila remains susceptible to the damaged imposed by marine tourism. Esthetically, the reef top is an eye sore, but a deeper observation reveals an amazing variety of marine life, electrifying energy usually associated only with pristine reef systems found in isolated corners of the world.

Through our 24 hours of continuous observation, I wish to weave a soap opera of the life on this reef, to be able to tell a true story about a day in the life of the sharks, turtles, moral eels, octopus, clownfishes and all that call this reef home. In our quest to learn and to share the knowledge discovered in our exploration we hope to both entertain and to educate people with the idiosyncrasies and dynamics of the water world. We will tell our 24-hour story of the sea based on a few of the denizens at Maaya Thila.

I am fortunate to have many friends and associates who believe in me, believe in this project. Albeit the fabrics of our different cultures, races and nationalism, we come together in our passion for the sea. For this one-day in our life, we will together watch and play continuously within a submerged reef in the Maldives. This one-day may deem insignificant in the geological time scale, but with the advent of satellite phone systems, we will broadcast our visual experience live on the World Wide Web. We hope that April 10 –11, 1999 will become significant in history, because all nature lovers from around the globe came together to watch a day in the life of a reef through the eyes of a few that have participated in this sojourn voluntarily and unconditionally. We are all part of this aqueous world.

Michael AW

OceanNEnviroment intend to produce a unique documentary covering the activity above and below the water. It shall be a hour long film and a pictorial almanac which showcases the beauty of the marine environment at Maaya Thila using excerpts of footage taken during the event and by profiling those who seek to protect such a natural wonder. The event will be broadcast live over the internet with still pictures digitally transmitted to the Rainbow Sea website - another unique aspect of the event making this a true minute by minute documentation of life on the reef. So why do the participants see this 24-hour documentation as so important?

Nicholas Pilcher a marine biologist from the UK explains that the density and diversity of life on Maaya Thila is an example of what can happen when humans decide to conserve nature rather than simply consume it. Maaya Thila is worth preserving. By using footage of other damaged reefs (Indonesia and the Philippines are good examples) we highlight the need for more marine parks and stringent laws to outlaw damaging practices.

Our film explores the reasons for reef and species damage - the dynamite fishing practices, the large market for tropical aquarium fish and the demand for delicacies such as sea urchin, shark fin, turtle meat and shells. By looking at the consumers and protagonists of reef damage the documentary aims to make sense of the need for extra vigilance and care over the pristine reefs that are left enforcing the need for events such as this.

This documentary and pictorial book is also a celebration of a world rarely glimpsed. Will we act as a species in time to preserve what is left of our marine world for centuries and generations to come or are we set on a path of irreparable destruction of our natural wonders? The participants aim to witness and document this special place as a record of what we still have at the end of the twentieth century. This film aims to share their experiences and wondrous observations with a public whom for the first and possibly last time glimpse such a glorious marine environment throughout its entire 24-hour cycle.

Broadcast Documentary

One hour broadcast quality narrated documentary on the event plus four pcs of music video of 8 mins each entitle Day, Dusk, Night, Dawn. Worldwide broadcast release.

160 pages high quality prints production, cased bound with 5 colours printing. 10" x 10" on acid free matt art paper. Worldwide release at US$68 per copy.