SUPPORTING SHARK CONSERVATION IN THE MALDIVES

Despite what is often portrayed, sharks may not be a significant threat to us, but we are to them. Humans are responsible for drastic declines in shark populations. It is estimated that around 100 million sharks are killed each year, mostly by overfishing to supply demand for shark-based products, but also as a result of bycatch, a new threat to the species.

Rising water temperatures and coastal development are also contributing to shrinking populations by destroying the mangroves and coral reefs that sharks use for breeding, hunting, and protecting young shark pups. The survival of many coastal communities such as those in the Maldives, largely depends on fish populations controlled by the presence of sharks, both important for fishing and tourism activities.

We are therefore delighted to announce our partnership with local NGO MIYARU. The word “Miyaru” means “shark” in Dhivehi, the national language of the Maldives. Their name not only represents their dedication to the research and conservation of the understudied shark populations of the Maldives and beyond, but also their firm commitment to collaborative, transparent and inclusive research.

Through science, storytelling and conservation MIYARU have set out to achieve the following:

INCLUDE THE “HUMAN” DIMENSIONS OF SHARKS IN OUR ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH
They prioritise science that does not look at sharks in isolation but instead examines them in direct relationship with human actors and anthropogenic activities.

BRING IN DIFFERENT AND INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES
They seek to work in highly interdisciplinary multicultural research and storytelling teams that represent both local and international perspectives in order to provide scalable conservation solutions.

ADDRESS LOCAL SHARK CONSERVATION CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
They seek to examine critical “human”shark conservation issues such as entanglement in ghost-gear, disturbance, anthropogenic injuries, interactions with fisheries and the impacts of tourism.

Our partnership has facilitated MIYARU‘s participation in a Maldives shark research expedition, offering theoretical lectures, practical shark data collection sessions, and hands-on field activities. This initiative, in collaboration with the University of Milano-Bicocca and MaRHE (Marine Research and High Education Center), aims to enhance participants’ understanding of scientific methodologies related to shark conservation efforts.

Participants will:

Identify sharks and their associated fauna.
Use specialized recognition software to catalog and database sharks.
Identify the common behaviours of sharks in their natural habitat and understand shark handling.
Use diver survey and photogrammetry techniques to survey sharks.
Design and carry out visual census operations, for the study and monitoring of sharks.
Learn the use citizen science to collect data.
Conduct terrestrial and aerial census of sharks using a drone or vantage points.
Use baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) to monitor shark abundance and composition.

MIYARU will be represented by Hamna Hussain, an active shark guide from Fuvahmulah. Hamna is an Ambassador for Girls that Scuba and an inspirational force for many local women. Her vision is to better understand the shark population of the Maldives, to help build scientific capacity on her home island and to involve the local community in generating this knowledge.

We look forward to Hamna sharing her learnings with us over the coming months.

Photography credits: @jonoallenphotography, @mattporteous,