Maldives Marine Conservation

The Maldives is in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s flattest and lowest country, with the average height above sea level being only 1.5 metres. Despite this the Maldives is also one of the most mountainous countries in the world courtesy of its volcanic origins. This may not be obvious unless you take the plunge beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean as most of the volcanic mountains are submarine creating an incredibly diverse and thriving marine ecosystem.

The waters around the Maldives are abundant in rare marine species of biological and commercial value, with the tuna fishing industry being one of the main sources of income for the country. The Maldives has an amazing array of sea life, with stunning corals and over 2,000 species of fish, ranging from Reef Sharks, Moray Eels, and a wide variety of rays; Manta Ray, Stingray and Eagle Ray. 

The Maldives consists of approximately 1,190 stunning coral islands and atolls stretching in a north-south direction. The pristine white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters make the country a popular tourist destination but the many islands have not all seen development at the same pace. Local islands still have inadequate infrastructure and poverty is widespread. In the past infrastructure development was focused on the capital island Male, forcing islanders to travel to the capital for health care and other important necessities such as schools, banks and shops. On this project you can fully immerse yourself in island life and work to preserve the precious marine ecosystem that is synonymous with the Maldives.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover this island paradise and help preserve the marine ecosystem
• Get PADI dive certified
• Make lifelong friends and unforgettable memories

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

Coral reefs cover less than 2% of the ocean floor but support 25% of all marine life, making coral one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, yet also one of the most threatened. All over the world reefs are in decline and with them the fate of over two million species and the economies that these ecosystems support. The pristine white sand, crystal clear turquoise waters and coral reefs of the Maldives are a popular tourist destination, with some of the islands seeing unprecedented development. This project works to ensure that the Maldives’ precious marine ecosystem is protected whilst educating island communities on the importance of marine conservation. Whilst on this project you can also learn to dive and obtain your PADI qualifications!

The project tries to have a lasting positive impact on local communities so for every three marine conservation volunteers one community islander will be taught to dive and will gain a PADI open water dive qualification which will not only help promote marine conservation within the community, but assist with youth development and provide employment opportunities on the islands where jobs are limited.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

As a marine conservation volunteer you will play a vital role in monitoring the local marine life and could be involved in activities including; diving to conduct fish and shark observations and coral surveys, coral planting, transplanting and cleaning, beach clean ups and turtle walks. It is important to make sure the marine conservation work is sustainable and so you may also be involved in the education of local island communities, actively encouraging communities to participate in a range of conservation initiatives.

If you've never dived before the PADI open water dive course is included in your trip.  Once you have completed your course your dive skills will be called upon to complete shark and fish observations and coral surveys. If you are already a qualified diver then you can get straight to work, conducting dive surveys and species monitoring at multiple dive sites. Any data that you collect is put to good use, being added to the international coral reef database.

All marine conservation volunteers also have the opportunity to work on other island based community projects using your skills and knowledge in a variety of ways including:

• Working as a day care assistant in local island pre-schools
• Promoting health and fitness schemes to help keep residents active
• Engaging young people through English language lessons and sports
• Running drug awareness workshops

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

You will be picked up from Male International Airport by a friendly local staff member and transported to a guesthouse on the island for one night. Local staff will give you a tour of the capital island before you catch the ferry to your local island to begin the project the following day. Your in-country coordinator will be more than happy to help you settle in and acclimatise and you'll feel at home in no time in this friendly, vibrant country.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

Depending on the time of your visit and volunteer numbers, you will either be staying in a shared volunteer house or at a friendly local guest house. All bedrooms are based on 2 volunteers sharing (same sex) and are ensuite with ceiling fans. The volunteer house also has a small sitting room and kitchen with clothes washing facilities available

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

Volunteers have breakfast together with a local family, an ideal opportunity to get to know more about local island life. Lunch and dinner are provided at a local café where volunteers choose from a wide menu, meals also include a variety of soft drinks. Typical dishes on the menu include rice or noodle dishes, sandwiches, traditional foods, chicken and chips, a variety of curries, burgers and more.
Traditional Maldivian food can be spicy but milder than the food found in some neighbouring countries. Sweet, sour, hot and spicy savoury dishes are popular including dishes made of smoked fish, grated coconut, lime juice, onion and chilli. Seafood is a major part of the Maldivian diet with local specialities including kulhi boakibaa, a type of fishcake, keemia, fish rolls and masroshi, small pancakes stuffed with fish. Maldivian’s have a sweet tooth and there is no shortage of cakes available throughout the islands such as huni hakuru folhi, a cake made of grated coconut, sugar and flour. A cup of kalhu sai, black tea is the usual choice to wash down these snacks. Should you want to eat something from a little closer to home there are many international restaurants available in the tourist resorts on the main islands.

What Next? Apply Now!

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Friday and Saturday is the weekend here and normally free time, although this may entirely depend on your particular programme. But don't worry you will still have ample time to visit snorkel hot spots and deserted islands or simply relax and soak up island life with your fellow volunteers or try out the Maldivian tradition of night fishing and see how satisfying it is to catch your own dinner!  

It may not always be possible to have every weekend off and you may have to rotate which days off you have with the other centre staff.

Please be aware that all of our Maldives development projects operate from a local island and are very community focussed.  During your free time you will have the opportunity to explore the islands and their surrounds but volunteers should be aware that the community islands do not reflect the tourist resort islands and poverty is widespread.   

Despite large parts of the Maldives portraying the image of an upmarket holiday destination, many local islands still have inadequate infrastructure. In recent times development has been unfairly focused on the capital island Male, forcing islanders to travel to the capital for health care and other important necessities such as schools, banks and shops.