Ensuring resilient reefs in the Maldives

Coral reefs are the foundation of the Maldivian economy as well as natural barriers that protect the low-lying islands from the eroding forces of the sea. But over-exploitation – from fishing, tourism, pollution, coastal development and climate change – is degrading the reefs, reducing their capacity to support the people who depend on them.  

Together with Maldives Resilient Reefs (MRR), which we helped to establish in 2019, Blue Marine aims to expand marine protection, improve fisheries management, promote sustainable tourism and strengthen the capacities of Maldivian marine conservationists.  

 A notable success was our 2024 campaign with other partners #AgainstLonglining, which halted the issuance of new licenses to fish in the Maldives using the destructive long-lining technique. Other highlights include MRR and the Blue Science unit’s baseline socio-economic assessment in Laamu Atoll for the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy.  

Our online education platform, Masmahaa-Veshi, now includes ten modules and has engaged more than 100 fishers and 200 community members on sustainable fishing practices and the benefits of marine protection. The platform also hosts a seagrass education model for local children and a similar module for mangroves is in development.  

The Blue Climate unit supported MRR and the University of Northumbria in research into mangrove die-back, which will help guide our engagement with the Maldivian government.  We conducted an in-person presentation to the relevant ministries on a number of financing mechanisms during a visit to the Maldives by our Economics Adviser.   

 Blue Marine has also formalised a Memorandum of Understanding with MRR to support future conservation efforts. We are in discussions with the government and partners to support the 30×30 ocean protection targets.

Blue Marine has collaborated with partners Maldives Resilient Reefs and Six Senses Laamu since 2017, with a focus on overfishing.

The Laamaseelu Masveriyaa sustainable fishing programme is a flagship project of Blue Marine and MRR. The programme ensures that resorts source sustainability caught local seafood with minimal impact on the marine environment. Since being piloted at Six Senses Laamu in 2020, the programme has now been expanded to 2 new resorts in Lhaviyani Atoll and Baa Atoll. With support from Blue Marine, MRR are working to continue expanding the programme across the country to ensure a national tourism industry interested in sustainable local seafood sourcing.