Marine matters
January 20, 2022 - The Maldives Underwater Initiative at Six Senses Laamu has been rewarded for its conservation impact once again. It has received a Global Award and contributed to the designation of six Marine Protected Areas. This is activism at its best.
If actions speak louder than words, our team at Six Senses Laamu is working at full volume.
The Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI), which is based at Six Senses Laamu, was recently recognized as a global leader in marine conservation during the 20th Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards.
This is the resort’s second trophy, after being crowned winners of the same category in 2018. It celebrates the team’s dedication to marine conservation through:
- Research: presented at science symposiums and governmental meetings to drive policy change
- Education: 26,000 moments of education including young guests certified through the on-site and online Junior Marine Biology Program
- Community outreach: bringing students from local schools on snorkeling excursions
Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his administration have designated six naturally unique and eco-rich areas in Laamu Atoll as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
The areas which have been designated for marine protection include the turtle nesting beach, mangrove, and seagrass area of L. Gaadhoo (a neighboring uninhabited island of Six Senses Laamu), the channel between Six Senses Laamu and L. Gaadhoo, the mangrove of L. Hithadhoo (an inhabited island on the other side of Six Senses Laamu), as well as two channels, a mangrove, a wetland, and an island in other areas of the atoll.
“The new MPAs, consisting of interconnected coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows, will support Laamu’s community by safeguarding fish populations and livelihoods while maintaining climate-resilient reefs,” explains Shaha Hashim, the Maldives Project Manager for Blue Marine Foundation and a driving force behind the designation of the MPAs.
Shaha has been recognized as the Regenerative Activist of the Year
This latest award, received by Shaha at the Regenerative Travel 2021 Impact Awards, recognizes her dedication to these MPA designations by describing her as, “a voice for many who do not have the capacity or platform to speak, working towards fair and well-managed resources based upon scientific evidence.”
This fantastic news comes just two months after the atoll was declared as a Hope Spot by Mission Blue
The Hope Spot announcement highlighted the importance of marine ecosystems in the atoll and the need for further protection.
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