How A Massive Lack Of Tourism Is Helping The Maldives
With many resorts and guest houses closed, it is obvious that the Maldives will see the next few months without tourists. As a result, waste levels will dramatically decrease and the country’s ecosystem will benefit greatly during these undisturbed times.
Resorts are making the most of this time to regenerate corals, clean up beaches and deserted islands, and implement conservation projects. We have summed up below resort updates to keep you informed and look forward to what is waiting for our mutual guests at the end of the uncertain times.
Education
AtHomeWithSixSenses campaign will provide resources and experiences for all followers online, including activities for budding Junior Marine Biologists, live coverage of our turtle nesting, question and answer sessions with our marine biologists on island and much more.
Research
The MUI team will conduct a biodiversity survey along the house reef to ensure the data for the year remains valid. Turtle nesting season has started, so for the next 6 months. 3 green sea turtle nests have already been laid this year. These nest hatch 50 – 60 days after they are laid, so first batch of baby turtles are to be expected in May!
Community
For the safety of the Laamu, the resort team has been kept in touch virtually with the local community and are planning big community events for the later half of the year including the annual Laamafaru festival.
Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa
Fasmendhoo Island, home to Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, just welcomed some adorable new creatures into the world: hawksbill sea turtles!
All sea turtles found in the Maldives including the hawksbill, olive ridley and green turtle, all have endangered status of some kind. To have this specific species of turtle hatching on the island is extremely good for the environment. The team of marine biologists at Emerald is extremely proud of this.
This wonderful journey began with a sea turtle came to the beach and found the perfect place to nest. Once it found a place dark enough and far enough from the high tide mark, it proceeded to lay down its eggs. This is a good sign for the island, because it means that the environment is still very natural.
Furthermore, the resort team will continue to stay in communication with local conservation organisations. Emerald practices no single-use of plastic, however they will be conducting lagoon cleanups for any plastic or rubbish that might have washed ashore.
Plastic Bottles
In 2010, single-use plastic bottles were eliminated at both resorts and replaced with glass bottles. To support this initiative, a water bottling plant was installed at each resort to produce still and sparkling water for their restaurants and villas. This initiative saves approximately 60,000 plastic bottles each month.
Reefscapers
The propagation process at Four Seasons Resorts involves attaching coral fragments onto specially designed coral frames to boost existing reef habitats and generate new ones. Reefscapers is also investigating ground-breaking clone selection research to help protect reefs against global warming.
In addition, both resorts have a Turtle Sanctuary (2 of only 4 in the Maldives) that has much success with rescue efforts, turtle hatchings, and other science that the team of Marine Biologists reports on weekly.