Agreement Promoting Marine Research in Maldives signed with Albatros Top Boat and University of Genoa

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Albatross Top Boat, University of Genoa

We are thrilled to announce the signing of an agreement between Save the Beach Maldives and Albatros Top Boat, who have been actively engaged in research, teaching and training on the marine environment of Maldives for the past 19 years in association with University of Genoa in Italy.

The agreement aims to promote educational and research activities, knowledge sharing and dissemination through creating specific projects.

Albatros Top Boat has organized an annual expedition in Maldives in collaboration with University of Genoa, where scientists and research students study various marine areas and have collected data for nearly two decades. They have published one book on their findings and published several articles over this time. Among their most exciting discoveries was the blue hole, which the team thoroughly studied to conclude that it had once been a cave above ground.

We are excited that this partnership which will seek to train and involve locals in this very important research. The partnership also plans to develop programs that will run continuously throughout the year.

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Annual General Meeting 2015

The second Annual General Meeting of Save the Beach Maldives was held on 11 November 2015 at Save the Beach’s headquarters in Villimale’.

Plans for next year were discussed and approved by members and volunteers.

Much thanks to all members and volunteers who have agreed to assist with next year’s projects and to all those who have been continuously contributing their time, efforts and ideas on behalf of the board of Save the Beach Maldives.

For a turquoise tomorrow!

Starting Eco Tour with Secret Paradise

Save the Beach Maldives signed a Memorandum of Understanding with local tour operator Secret Paradise to provide a tour highlighting the environmental challenges unique to the developing islands of Maldives. The tour also highlights efforts to conserve and protect the environment as well as providing an opportunity to contribute actively to such efforts.

Cleanup with Damage Control, Good Riddance Project, the Salvage Project and Muhyiddin Eco Club

Several bags of garbage were cleaned from the BBQ beach of Villimale’ in a collaborative effort between Save the Beach Maldives, Project Damage Control, Good Riddance Project, the Salvage Project and Muhyiddin Eco Club. Unusual amounts of floating garbage had been coming onto the beach this past week. From the looks of it the garbage seems to have been in the water for a while and had been drifting with a current.
Prior to the cleanup we received a presentation and information session by Race for Water who are on a trip around the world studying the ocean and beach pollution!

Clean up challenge with MTCC And ACC

We did a clean up with Maldives Transport and Contracting Company MTCC and Anti Corruption Commission ACC in Villimale’ this Saturday 22nd August 2015. WHILE MTCC were active on the eastern side of the island, ACC collected their trash from the southern side of the island.The MTCC clean up was a challenge of segregating waste collected on the beach. More than 401 kgs of waste was collected and most of it were recyclable plastic and metals. 

The ACC too sorted their waste during collection. This sorting during collection is an effort to introduce the idea of segregation as a first step to proper waste management. 

It is fantastic that more and more corporates want to get involved in the fight against littering and coastal pollution! Thanks to MTCC, ACC and our volunteers who participated. 

It was an afternoon well spent, and fun day. 

MTCC Clean up challenge.   

 ACC Segregation of waste.
  

1 Nation Coral Revival Pictures

Thanking You!

The team of Save Beach Maldives would like to extend special thanks to the following individuals and organisations for their contributions, time and effort in making this event and project a success.

For supporting StB Maldives’ Reef Monitoring and Rehabilitation Project and for assisting the organization from the beginning of the project;

Thoriq Ibrahim – Minister for Environment & Energy, Ibrahim Nizam – Deputy Minister for Environment & Energy, Ali Mishal – Environment Protection Agency

For their consultancy, advice & guidance;

Hussein Zahir – Consultant, Lamer

Dr. Mizna – Post Graduate Research Centre MNU, Dr. Shazla Dean for Faculty of Science Maldives National University

Dr. Naseer – Permanent Secretary Ministry of Fisheries & Agriculture

For guiding & supporting 1NCR event;

Mohamed Aseel – Deputy MD of MMPRC, Ibrahim Asim – Deputy Director of MMPRC,

For dive support & leadership;

Mohamed Azmee – 9 Star Diving

Dr. Shammaa Hameed – Dean for Faculty of Marine Studies at Villa

Adam Ashraf – Dive Desk

Fayyaz – Diver’s Lodge

For always supporting the cause;

Ahmed Nihan –  MP Villimale’

Aishath Rasheeda

Naahida

Zubaida

Shaahina – Seaexplorers

Musthaq – Maldivers

Maeed – Ecocare

Ammadey – Scouts

For wholeheartedly volunteering & believing in the power of the community;

Anan Shareef

Ajuna

Hussain Ihvan

Zafar Kalaam

Jailum

Thaumeen

Rinan

Thuhufa

Elisa

Farish

Maleeha

Shuhan

Shaneez (kalhey)

Sama

Lausam

Farih

Hassaan

Ali Afru

Anoof

Saaif (noddy)

Shammaan

Annappe

Dan

Tholly

Huthu

Shaanih

Naani

Reesha

Mamdhu

Samarey

Samahi

Anan Shafeeu

Anan Ali

Zane

Vidhadh

Afu

Mifu

Hindham

Imaha

Muttu

Robey

Azzam

Naathi

Ayya

Yaanu

Ammu

Adam (9star)

Ibbe

Mode

Farey

Shammaan (dive desk)

Viam

Umar

Reekko

Rana

Faisal

Ismail Shareef

Khalid

Shinan

Shaffan

Haisham

Nafiu

Vijudhan

Abo

Sausan

Nishaar

Mohamed Riyaz

Mohamed Rishwan

Maadhih

Manaal

Raya

BT

Yaambe

Laushan

Bodey (Ukulhas)

Bodey (Rakheem)

Iru

Rifa

Adam (mc rooster)

Ziyatte

Longey

Majdhy

Thahey

Happe’

Aari

Ishu

Naadu

Shaa

Hassanbe

Anjy

Robert

Rina

To our event partners;

Ministry of Environment & Energy  & Maldives Marketing & PR Cooporation – Organising & Promoting partner

Ministry of Education, Environment Protection Agency, Marine Research Centre, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Coast Guard, Marine Police, Maldivian Red Crescent, Maldives National Defence Force, Maldives Police Service – Associate partners

TVM – Broadcasting partner

Multimarine Services – Underwater Videography

Skyvu – Aerial photography

Sun Online – News partner

Mv Hotels – Media partner

Liquid water sports & Hulhumale’ Rowing Club – Watersports partner

Project Isle – Stage managing partner

Event Maldives – Lights & Sound partner

Light & Sound – Stage building partner

Do AV – Projection partner

Direct Logistics – Logistics

MTCC – Travel partner

Hotel Jen – Hotel partner

MWSC – water & recycling partner

Effect – Energy partner

Smak – Beverage partner

Seamark – Reefscaping partner

La Mer – Consulting partner

M7 – printing partner

Blak – Managing partner

Maldives Airports Company Limited – Gateway partner

Tukish Airlines – Airline partner

Nalahiya – Supply partner

RCnC – Building partner

9 Star Diving, Dive Desk, Faculty of Marine Studies Villa College, Divers Lodge, Watertribe Nation, Dive Association of Maldives, MARE – Dive partners

Dhiraagu – Telecommunications partner

For sponsoring:

UNDP GEF SGP

STO

Allied Insurance

Universal Enterprises

Bandos Island Resort

Secret Paradise

We wish the experience was an enjoyable one for everyone as it was for us, and we hope you will continue your support of the project to rehabilitate and protect the reefs of Villimale’.

Thank you all for making 1 Nation Coral Revival a success!

Team of Save the Beach Maldives

1 Nation Coral Revival Outcomes

The event 1 Nation Coral Revival had over a 1500 visitors over the two days, over 200 people planting corals, 200 attempts at trying diving, more than 200 hundred try at water sports and 150 tries of guided snorkeling, 50 divers planting corals, between 50 – 100 people near main stage area at activity times, and 5- 15 people attending sessions for Awareness Tent and Nature Walks. Activity leaders report great show of enthusiasm among participants and the team will build upon this experience to improve the design next year’s activities.

The monument ‘1’ was sunken on 5 June 2015, a delay of by two days due to bad weather. The abrupt postponement of event to the 6th & 7th (due to the fact that strong winds caused the dismantling of a built up site the night before the event and stalls had to be transferred to the Eastern side) caused considerable loss in participation numbers and made it difficult to monitor numbers as the festival spread over two different beaches.

The event had 29 stalls, of which 6 were corporate, 4 were government agencies, 2 were media and 2 were schools. There were 5 event activity booths & 2 stages. A total of 43 partnerships were made for the event , 8 schools participated in various activities, Villa College and 9 Environmental NGOs, along with 3 Resort environmental projects, 15 Artists, 80 plus Volunteers & 8 different medias, 2 of which were international, covering the event, all made the event a success.

Event participants, partners and the organizing team are greatly excited by the prospect of replicating and improving next year’s festival, which will become the annual Turquoise Fest.  The proposal is now being developed to create a World Turquoise Day, a day which will celebrate coral reefs. The day will mark the significance of coral reefs to ocean biodiversity, ecosystems and our livelihoods, and will be part of the awareness campaign for the ongoing project “Monitoring & Rehabilitation of Villimale’ Reefs”.

See you all at next year’s festival 😀

For a turquoise tomorrow!

SHORT TERM WORK OPPORTUNITY

Save the Beach Maldives is looking of a enthusiastic individual who cares about the environment to work on our One Nation Coral Revival event team as an ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.

Contract Duration: 1 Month

Salary: MVR 5000

Applicants must have completed a Diploma and have at least 2 years work experience. Ideal candidates must be skilled at drafting and administration as well as organising. Must be fluent in English and Dhivehi.

Please email your resume and cover letter to savethebeach.villingili@gmail.com. Please call 770 3670 or 742 8225 for more information.

Reef Check Training of 27 & 28 Feb Complete

Save the Beach Maldives, in Association with local NGO Gemana and Villimale’ dive centre, Nine Star Diving, hosted a Reef Check training session this weekend. Starting from 9 am onwards on Friday 27 Feb 2015 the sessions included classroom and assessment time. On Saturday, the sessions focused on assessments and mock surveying.

All participants passed with excellence and are now certified Eco Divers. This training was conducted in order to carry out Reef Check at Villimale’ reefs. Reef Check will be conducted in Villimale’ regularly.

The Reef Monitoring and Rehabilitation Programme of Save the Beach Maldives is currently in full swing and the Reef Check trainings are part of the programme. Also part of the programme is the all mega coral planting event, ONE NATION CORAL REVIVAL, to be held on 5^th & 6^th  of June this year. Preparations are being made as large numbers are anticipated with the participation of local celebrities and prominent members of society.