Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort is playing an important role in collecting and sharing information on whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles with conservation groups in the Maldives.
Helmed by the resort's marine biologist, Lynn Jula Kessler, the tracking and reporting process show that whale shark and manta ray populations in the South Ari Atoll around Outrigger Maldives are stable or doing well. However, there is rising concern about critically endangered sea turtles, which often get entangled in fishing nets travelling between their nesting grounds in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Currently, Outrigger Maldives is cooperating with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program on whale sharks. Kessler and accompanying snorkelling resort guests gather data on whale shark sightings, noting any injuries, some of which are inflicted by collisions with boats.
This September, Outrigger and Kessler will join the #GentleToGiants movement run by the whale shark research team. The campaign aims to secure commitments from businesses in the tourism industry to adhere to whale shark encounter guidelines.
"Many of the whale sharks spotted in South Ari Atoll are juvenile males five to eight meters in length," said Kessler. "The waters around here are like a boys' high school for whale sharks."
Additionally, Kessler provides information on manta ray sightings to the Manta Trust, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded to protect manta rays worldwide. Conservationists can track new pregnancies, injuries and overall population trends with underwater images of mantas sent to the trust. Manta rays are classified as endangered and are protected by law in the Maldives, which is home to the biggest recorded population of manta rays across the globe.
"No matter how often I encounter manta rays, they always amaze me," said Kessler. "Besides being unbelievably graceful, they are also very curious and intelligent. They can often be observed interacting with snorkelers and divers, which makes the encounters even more magical."
Twice a week, Kessler gives a presentation on whale sharks, turtles, marine life and coral reef preservation in the South Ari Atoll to Outrigger guests.
In July, she organised a coral planting, supported by guests, adding frames of new coral under a jetty at the resort to promote the breeding of young corals and fish species.
Marine conservation and awareness building are integral to Outrigger Maldives resort operations, which align with Outrigger's ZONE (OZONE), the company's long-established global marine conservation and environmental care initiative.
