Why Is the Maldives a Sanctuary for Marine Life?

Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has always been a rather popular holiday destination, garnering the attention of so many travellers from across the world. Its white sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, and unbelievably luxurious holiday resorts are most certainly the islands’ highlight. But, its thriving marine biodiversity has been recognised as one of the best ecosystems in the world, so keep reading to learn more about what makes the Maldives a haven for marine life. 

Coral Reefs 

At the heart of the Maldives’ underwater biodiversity are its coral reefs. They have been formed by colonies of tiny coral polyps over thousands of years, and are the foundation for this marine ecosystem. There are over 200 species of hard corals, which are present in the Maldives’ marine ecosystem and have been found to be some of the most extensive and diverse coral reefs in the world. 

These coral reefs provide habitat, food, and protection for several underwater species. They also serve as hiding places for small fish and invertebrates, while larger predators such as sharks and manta rays are often found swimming along the reef edges. The most fascinating aspect of coral reefs is the symbiotic relationship they share with other marine creatures, which indeed creates a thriving underwater ecosystem. 

Variety of Marine Species 

When it comes to the marine biodiversity of the Maldives, there’s much to be found as its waters are teeming with everything from the smallest plankton to the largest of marine animals. Those who go snorkelling or diving in these waters are bound to find colourful reef fish such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish, as well as larger species like tuna and barracuda. 

Often discovered swimming in Maldivian waters, the manta ray is a graceful creature with a long wingspan and can be found having their bodies cleaned of parasites by smaller fish – providing a unique spectacle for divers. The Maldives is also home to more than 31 species of shark, 29 of which are endangered species. The presence of these gigantic creatures is important for marine ecosystems and is also beneficial for the local fishing industry. 

The ocean waters of the Maldives are also home to various species of sea turtles such as the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, and loggerhead turtle. They are often found swimming gently and gracefully in the ocean and swimming to the shore to lay their eggs. 

Extensive Conservation Efforts 

The Maldives’ amazing biodiversity is not without its difficulties. Coral bleaching, overfishing, and climate change are major challenges to these already fragile marine ecosystems. Nonetheless, numerous efforts are being made to save and maintain this underwater ecosystem by the Maldivian government and a wide number of marine conservation organisations.  To conserve important habitats and species, marine protected areas (MPAs) have been set up all around the various islands in the Maldives. There are stringent laws and sustainable fishing practices which have been set in place to prevent overfishing and to ensure the long-term conservation of marine resources. Additionally, various efforts to repair damaged reefs and regrowth of coral populations are being carried out. 

A vital aspect of these conservation efforts is ecotourism. The Maldives places special focus on educating tourists on the value of marine conservation and they advocate for responsible tourism. These help tourists enjoy the region’s marine environment as well as preserve it. Dive operators and resorts often collaborate with marine biologists to offer educational programmes and citizen science initiatives, thus allowing tourists to contribute to ongoing research and conservation projects. Consider booking a stay at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu or any other property offering Maldives villas that practise responsible ecotourism.