Marine Education and Coral Conservation in Baa Atoll

September 2024

Supported by the Four Seasons resort at Landaa Giraavaru (FSLG) and the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office, the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP) team in Baa Atoll have been conducting the Marine Education Programme, Moodhu Madharusaa (Ocean School) since February 2024 with a total of 32 students from Kihaadhoo School.

Students building coral frames to be planted on their house reef with the help of the Reefscapers team © Dan Nashid

A major part of this programme is teaching students how to swim, snorkel and become comfortable in the water through regular field trips. A total of 12 students took part in a learn-to-snorkel session conducted in Kihaadhoo. Students received a snorkel briefing where they were taught how to properly use the snorkel equipment such as fins, mask, snorkel and safety gear such as life jacket. This activity took place in shallow waters off the shore along with experienced in-water guides from MMCP, Reefscapers and guides from the Recreation and Dive departments from FSLG. All students enjoyed getting used to being in the water in their snorkel gear. The team was especially proud of the girls who were quick to pick up these in-water skills.

Students from Kihaadhoo School ready to get in the water for their learn-to-snorkel session © Nuha Rasheed

As part of the field trip for the Coral Reef module, MMCP facilitators travelled to Kihaadhoo island with the members of the Reefscapers team where the students learned about coral restoration. FSLG and Reefscapers donated 2 coral frames to the school which the students enjoyed building on the beach by attaching coral fragments to it using cable ties with the guidance of the Reefscapers team. After building the frames, students got in the water in snorkel gear, accompanied by in-water guides from MMCP, Dive and Recreation departments of FSLG and observed how the frames were planted on their house reef. In the upcoming months, students (accompanied by parents/guides) will visit these frames to monitor the coral growth and report progress they observe to the MMCP and Reefscapers team.

The team would like to thank Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office, Reefscapers, and the Cyclone Members for their continued support in making the Moodhu Madharusaa programme a successful and enjoyable one for all participants. We hope to organise successful programmes such as this in more islands in Baa and expand to Raa Atoll in the near future.