Fifth Maldives Marine Science Symposium Begins In Male’

The Maldives Marine Science Symposium, organised by the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI), began today at the Maldives National University in Male’.

The symposium, now in it’s fifth edition, is a biennial event that provides a platform for marine researchers across the country to share findings from their ongoing research. The symposium will run from 9am to 5pm today and tomorrow and is open to the public.

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This year’s symposium features oral and poster presentations on a range of topics, including coral and reef ecology, fisheries and aquaculture, sharks and rays, marine megafauna, mangroves, seagrasses, and other marine subjects.

The symposium was inaugurated by the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam.

During the opening ceremony, MMRI celebrated its 40th anniversary by recognising past members with tokens of appreciation.

Among those honoured were the late Maizaan Hassan Maniku (1953-2002), who founded the Marine Research Section in 1984 and served as its first Director, and the late Ahmed Hafiz (1962-2024), who led the Marine Research Centre from 1999 to 2004.

Speakers at the ceremony emphasised the importance of involving local researchers and engaging with local communities in research conducted and led by international institutions.

MMRI also re-launched the Maldives Marine Research Bulletin today, which first began publishing in 1995 but had been discontinued since 2006.