The Environmental Protection Agency has started the implementation of the Hanifaru Protection and Preservation Regulation (2012/ R-23). The regulation is prepared under Environment Protection and Preservation Act 4/93 and was published on the Gazette on 26th April 2012.

According to the regulation activities such as scuba diving, waste disposal, riding through Hanifaru Bay and touching/riding mega fauna are prohibited. Regulation guides the behavior of visitors, tour guides and rangers in Hanifaru Marine Protected Area. A special permit must be attained from EPA to enter Hanifaru Island. Hanifaru MPA can only be accessed from 6:00 am to 6:00pm, if failed to do so action will be taken against the individuals or parties.

The new regulation requires that the visitors to Hanifaru MPA must pay a user fee per each visit. User fee/Hanifaru Token will be available at 310/- Mrf and the members to the BR will have privilege of buy the token at half the price. The visitors are advised to behave according to the sets and rule given by the Regulation. Visitors must be accompanied by Tour Guides Certified by EPA. The visitors are advised to behave according to the sets and rule given by the Regulation.
Further the regulation clearly highlights the penalties for offences against HPPR. As the regulating authority of Hanifaru MPA, EPA urges the Hanifaru MPA users to abide by the regulation and full fill the requirements.