OUR
MISSION
To lead the tourism industry in the Maldives through meaningful marine conservation efforts based on research, education and community outreach.
OUR
VISION
To empower a local and global community of marine stewards that will create a culture of positive action for our oceans in Laamu and beyond.
The MUI Team, October 2022
OUR
STORY
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has achieved a claim for crafting award winning resorts and spas centered around wellness and sustainability. The model embraces the idea of integrating business with planetary and personal wellbeing in order to generate widespread change.
Each Six Senses property supports the preservation of the natural and culture heritage of its location, and aims to enhance the social and economic benefits to the local communities where Six Senses operates. When a Six Senses opened in the remote atoll of Laamu, an area that was completely undeveloped and bursting with natural beauty, it was clear to the management and owners that marine conservation should be a priority for the resort.
The marine biology team based at Six Senses Laamu started in 2011 with just one full-time marine biologist employed by the resort. As the size and goals of the team grew, the resort sought to bring together the greatest minds in marine conservation to find innovative solutions to Laamu’s most pressing issues.
Several years after opening, the team has grown to over ten specialists, consisting of resort marine biologists, sustainability experts and community outreach specialists, as well as those hosted from three partner NGOs: The Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation and The Olive Ridley Project. With such a large resource of experts, research expanded to cover a multitude of topics. In July 2018, as the need to unite these efforts under one banner grew, the Maldives Underwater Initiative was formed.
OUR
WORK
RESEARCH
MUI’s research focuses on the key habitats in Laamu: coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests, as well as the most vulnerable species inhabiting them. This research supports conservation measures at Six Senses Laamu and management measures throughout the atoll and nationally.
EDUCATION
We strive to make each guest that visits Six Senses Laamu a voice for ocean conservation by the end of their stay. Hands-on workshops, presentations and guided-in water activities serve to amaze and inspire.
COMMUNITY
MUI is empowering the next generation of marine stewards in Laamu, as well as building capacity among the older generation and engaging in open communication with community leaders through various programs and initiatives.
OUR
PRIORITIES
The economy and well-being of the Maldives is tied to the health and wealth of the natural environment, primarily the ocean. The largest contributors to the economy, tourism and fisheries sectors are highly dependent on the wellbeing of the ocean, coral reefs, beaches and marine life.
-THE MALDIVES STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN 2019 - 2023
Tourism development should not be at the expense of the environment. In fact, tourism development is dependent on the health of the environment. We are setting an example for the tourism industry and other conservation initiatives throughout the Maldives by showing that protecting the habitats and species of Laamu benefits tourism. Through our research, education and community projects we are prioritizing the protection of the following habitats and species:
SEAGRASS MEADOWS
CORAL REEFS
MANGROVE FORESTS
MANTA RAY CLEANING AND COURTSHIP SITES
SEA TURTLE HABITATS AND NESTING SITES
GROUPER SPAWNING AGGREGATION SITES
OUR
PARTNERS
The Maldives Underwater Initiative is an exemplary example of how powerful collaboration can be within the world of marine conservation. The MUI team consists of four elements, the Six Senses Laamu marine biology team as well staff from our three partners NGOs: The Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation and The Olive Ridley Project. In addition, MUI’s work would not be possible without the support of the resort’s Green Fins Certified dive center, Deep Blue Divers, and the Laamu Atoll Council.
THE MANTA TRUST
The Manta Trust is a UK-registered charity that coordinates global mobulid research and conservation efforts. Their mission is to conserve mobulid rays and their habitats, through research, education and collaboration.
Since 2014, the Manta Trust have been working in Laamu to study the local manta ray population and to educate guests and the local community about the importance (and vulnerability) of manta rays in the Maldives.
BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION
Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) exists to combat overfishing and the destruction of biodiversity – arguably the largest problem facing the world’s oceans – by delivering practical conservation solutions, including the creation of large-scale marine reserves. Through projects around the world, BLUE aims to place 10% of the world’s oceans under protection by 2020 and 30% by 2030.
Since 2016, BLUE has been in Laamu addressing key knowledge gaps in the Maldivian grouper fishery and working with the community towards better fisheries management and improving the resilience of Laamu’s reefs.
THE OLIVE RIDLEY PROJECT
The Olive Ridley Project (ORP) is on a mission to protect sea turtles and their habitats in the Indian Ocean through research, rehabilitation, education and outreach.
Since April 2018, an ORP sea turtle biologist has been stationed at Six Senses Laamu to study the local turtle population, monitor turtle nests on the island, and collect data on ghost nets found in and around the atoll.
VISITING
EXPERTS
At the Maldives Underwater Initiative we recognize the value of external partnerships. We have developed a network of global experts to assist our research and help tackle Maldivian conservation challenges. Over the years we have worked with a range of researchers and storytellers, entrepreneurs and lecturers, many of whom we have invited to visit us here at Six Senses Laamu. These visiting experts also share their knowledge with the Maldivian conservation community via the Blue Marine Foundation Maldives National University (MNU) Seminar Series. Recent visiting practitioners include:
2019
Dr Yvonne Sadovy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (fish spawning aggregations)
Roger Munns, Underwater Cameraman, UK (storytelling to aid conservation)
Dr Mark Erdmann, Conservation International, Indonesia (marine protected area management)
Dr Gerry Allen, Western Australian Museum, Australia (finding new species in the Maldives)
Dr Peter Macreadie, Deakin University, Australia (blue carbon valuation)
Dr Paul Kench, Simon Fraser University, Canada (sediment dynamics and atoll and island formation)
Dr Mike van Kuelen, Murdoch University, Australia (seagrass ecology and restoration)
Dr Michael Rasheed, James Cook University, Australia (seagrass ecology)
Dr Alex Mustard (underwater photographer)
2020
Matt Porteous, Ocean Culture Life (photographer and videographer)
2021
Erin Quigley, Go Ask Erin (underwater photographer and videographer)
Joel and Jen Penner, New Media Soup (underwater photographers and videographers)
Henthorne, One Blue Ocean (photographer and videographer)
Dr Alex Mustard (underwater photographer)
Matt Drysdale, The Hormiman Museum and Gardens (coral spawning reef restoration)
2022
Erin Quigley, Go Ask Erin (underwater photographer and videographer)
Joel and Jen Penner, New Media Soup (underwater photographers and videographers)
Dr Mike van Kuelen, Murdoch University, Australia, during a seagrass survey with our research team.
OUR
AWARDS
The value we add to Six Senses Laamu is evident in the various awards we have helped the resort achieve. For example:
2023
Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards – Winner of Marine & Coastal Category (Six Senses Laamu)
Aspire – Sustainability Initiative of the Year
Maldives Ministry of Tourism Award – Community Engagement
Maldives Ministry of Tourism Award – Environmental Sustainability
2022
Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards – Winner of Marine & Coastal Category (MUI)
Virtuoso Award – Protecting the Planet
2021
World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Awards – Global Gold Award for Reducing Plastic Waste in the Environment
World Spa & Wellness Awards – Shortlist, Sustainable Spa of the Year
The Regenerative Travel Impact Awards 2021 – Maldives Underwater Initiative, Finalist for Conservation Project of the Year
The Regenerative Travel Impact Awards 2021 – Shaha Hashim, Winner for Activist of the Year
Skål Sustainable Tourism Awards - Winner of Marine and Coastal Category (Six Senses Laamu)
2020
Stelliers Awards – Hotelier of the Year, Sustainability, Adam Tholhat
2019
World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Awards – Gold Award for Wildlife and Nature Conservation 2019
Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) – BlueGreen360 Plastic Pollution Solution Innovator of the Year 2019
Maldives Travel Awards, Maldives – Leading Eco Resort
2018
Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards – Winner of Marine & Coastal Category (Six Senses Laamu)
Green Hotelier Awards – Winner of Community Award and Highly Commended Runner-Up of Responsible Hotel of the Year Award
Maldives Travel Awards (MATATO) – Eco Hotel of the Year
Stelliers Awards – Megan O’Beirne, Sustainability Manager, South Asia’s CSR Hotelier of the Year