Conservation in the Maldives
With climate change and conservation at the forefront of the world’s eye, the Maldives are pushing forward with some fantastic conservation projects. Here we explore just a few of the projects currently ongoing:
The Maldivian Sea Turtle Project
Sea Turtles have existed for hundreds of years, yet are now fighting to survive. Sea Turtles help maintain the health of the sea grass beds and beach vegetation, which protects against loss of marine life and beach erosion. Their extinction would have devastating effects on marine life and the seas.
Catching Sea turtles and collecting their eggs is now illegal throughout the Maldives. The Maldivian Sea Turtle Conservation Programme has made huge leaps in educating people of the disturbance of Sea Turtle nests and rehabilitation of injured sea turtles. An annual festival is held to continue spreading the word of the turtles importance to whole communities, ensuring the younger generations grow up understanding their value.
Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP)
The Maldivian Manta Ray Project is the founding project of the Manta Trust. It consists of a country-wide network of dive instructors, biologists, communities, and tourism operators, spanning across several atolls.
The MMRP collects data of the country’s manta population including its movements, and how the environment, tourism and human interactions affect them.
This invaluable research improves understanding of these magnificent animals, and also teaches of their on-going management and protection. Research driven by the MMRP has been directly responsible for protecting mantas and their critical habitats within the Maldives.
Project Regenerate
Being a low-lying atoll nation, the Maldivian government is fiercely aware of the damage that climate change is having on coral reefs. The country not only wishes to protect its natural landscapes, but also relies heavily on the tourism that the lure of its crystal clear, reef drenched waters attract.
The Maldivian government is therefore developing and implementing policies to protect coral reefs and support marine management, and so have got behind Project Regenerate.
The aim of the project is to help local communities and the government measure and understand the impacts of climate change, and to then develop strategies that build resilience, mitigate impacts and encourage adaptation.
The Maldives offer some of the most beautiful waters in the world, with a vast and diverse marine life. Whilst onboard your private yacht, we can adapt your tailored itinerary to allow you time to see some of this great work in action. You can also sail aboard your water top home safe in the knowledge that the country is highly environmentally friendly and protective of its marine and land life and environment.
