reefstudy

[reefstudy]

Future Food - fastest growing source of food

Researchers around the world have long been proposing seaweed cultivation as a form of sustainable agriculture.

The tropical waters of Maldives is ideal environment for seaweed to thrive.

Much of the Maldives coast is ideal for seaweed cultivation with suitable tropical weather, shallow waters and a rich supply of nutrients.

It has an innate ability to combat mulnutrition being a perfect source of iodine, vitamins, and proteins. Seaweeds nutritional value is far from its only appeal as a crop. Seaweed gains it’s energy through photosynthesis, in a similar way to plants (though seaweeds are actually macro algae). Seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide, converting the carbon to sugars for energy and release oxygen into the water.

[reefstudy]

Five of the seven known species of turtles in the world are seen in the Maldives. All turtles have a robust horny beak; none have real teeth. They use paddle-shaped flippers to propel themselves to speeds of up to 35km per hour. During the nesting season females return to land to lay their eggs in a nest dug into the sandy beach. After around two months the hatchlings go back to the sea. Turtles live long lives – thought to be up to 50 years and can survive long periods without food. Marine turtles are the living representatives of a group of reptiles that has existed on Earth and traveled our seas for the last 100 million years. They are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems. Leatherback turtles consume large numbers of jellyfish which helps to keep populations of these marine organisms in check. Marine turtles, including leatherbacks, also provide a vital source of income as a draw for ecotourism in coastal communities, especially in the Maldives. 

Turtle research project since 2001

Imagine a turtle come and tell its life story. It has been in the water time immemorial. Sea conditions unimaginable. Above all, the turtle face more serious life threats from us and our irresponsible actions like throwing plastic bags into the sea. It has being researched that the plastic garbage produced and its compositions are ever increasing. Sea conditions are changing in a spectrum of natural forces, in a much controlled manner. However human irresponsible actions are increasing in many folds faster than just a few centuries ago. The collective actions we take today will dampen the magnification of the threats. This is the real story a turtle wants to convey to all of us!

[reefstudy]

Shark Reef

Miyaru Faru is located at the very edge of the South Male’ atoll’s drop-off. The reef starts at 1 meter and drops to more than 30 meters. Divers will follow the slope until they reach a plateau at 30 meters. If the current is strong, divers will hang onto this section and observe the critters passing by. Current can range from moderate to strong, attracting big pelagic fishes and a variety of other marine life. If current allows, divers will cross the channel following the rocky bottom at around 25 to 27 meters of depth. Whilst crossing the channel, divers should keep their eyes peeled for unbelievable encounters with grey reef sharks, school of eagle rays and mobula rays, giant tunas and trevallies.