OceanNEnvironment is proud to announce the production of the world’s first digital broadcast documentary and high quality pictorial almanac recorded over a 24-hour period. These shall be the showcases of the best of the Maldives as well as an everlasting record captured during the twilight of this century. The production of 24 hrs beneath a Rainbow Sea, Maaya Thila, Maldives is endorsed by the Government of Maldives and the documentary shall be broadcast over TV Maldives, and all major stations including Australia, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States. The Video and pictorial almanac shall also be released worldwide. The producer of this project is Michael Aw, the author and photographer of "Dreams from a Rainbow Sea – Maldives. Michael is also the producer for "Dreams from a Rainbow Sea – The Music Documentary" due for release in October 1998.

1. Anemonefish and their daily activity patterns.
2. A 30 sec. segment of 3 portions of the reef will be recorded every thirty minutes and analyzed for activities over the 24-hour period.
3. Octopus - Habitats, feeding, foraging patterns over the course of 24-hours.

In terms of fish life, the sheer abundance on this reef is incredible. The thila is about 80 meters in diameter and can be easily circumnavigated in one dive; that is if you can resist other distractions. The top of the reef starts at six meters, sloping to 12m, before dropping to beyond 30m. Caves, overhangs and ledges are found all along the reef wall. Though solidly built Grey Reef sharks are common, it is the number of White-tip sharks that is impressive. They are everywhere. Millions of anchovies disperse and regroup to form a variation of shapes stealing the show from the Grey sharks and their companions, the Rainbow Runners. While schools of Snappers and Batfish hover beneath coral trees, lone Great Barracudas play havoc with the fusiliers. Blue-faced angelfish, Clown triggerfish, Blue triggerfish, Dog-tooth tuna, Hawksbill turtles, jacks, moray eels, stonefish, and Anglerfish are all part of the ensemble that make this reef one of the most impressive in the Maldives.

Because of the quality and density of this ecosystem, the axioms of life at play each night on the reef make footage nature that filmmakers would die for. After dark, predators swing into hunting mode. Sharks seem to zoom in from every direction. Their sense of urgency and frantic search for prey are felt in wave after wave of the electrifying melee. Even the boldest divers are on guard. Moray eels are seen leaving their holes to search for unsuspecting scorpionfish. Octopuses are sighted in ambush position for a shellfish in passing. Marble Rays appear out of the dark to sweep on sand patches for shellfishes, bloating up occasionally when they land on an ill- fated prey. Mayaa Thila is a marine protected area. (extracts from Michael Aw's Indepth Guide to the Maldives – Dive International June issue 1998)

The principal objectives of this event are:

1. To promote awareness of the density of life on one reef system – an ecological system that represents a small but vital link to the cycle of all life on this water planet.
2. To raise funds to support the ongoing protection of the reefs in the Maldives as well as to secure photographic and research materials on the ecology of a single submerged reef system.
3. To support field research of the shark and Napoleon Wrasse populations, with the objectives of protecting all species of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) and Napoleon Wrasse in Maldivian and Indo-Pacific waters.
4. To support the development of educational materials for Maldivian children, as well as for tourists, on the ecology of the atoll environment.
5. To promote the beauty of the marine environment by producing a chronicle of one of the most vibrant biological systems in the world both on video and in a high quality almanac that will be enjoyed by millions of individuals worldwide.
6. To increase awareness of the fantastic diving opportunities offered in the Maldives as well as to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our world's reefs.

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. Video at US$20 per copy. Broadcast

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$48 per copy.

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