Maldives’ First Shark Research and Conservation Hub Opens in Fuvahmulah

The Maldives’ first Shark Research and Conservation Hub has been inaugurated in Fuvahmulah City, establishing a dedicated centre for shark research, education and marine conservation efforts.

The facility was established by The Miyaru Program, a Maldivian organisation focused on researching shark populations, collecting scientific data and advancing conservation initiatives in the Maldives and surrounding waters. The hub is designed to provide a platform for collaboration between researchers, conservationists and local communities.

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The centre was officially opened by Fuvahmulah City Mayor Ismail Rafeeq. According to The Miyaru Program, the hub will support scientific research, professional collaboration and educational activities while promoting new approaches to marine conservation.

Fuvahmulah has been recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2020 and is known as an important habitat for sharks. Research conducted by The Miyaru Program has identified more than 300 individual tiger sharks in the region through photo-identification studies. The organisation’s findings also indicate that the area serves as a key nursery and gestation site for pregnant tiger sharks.

The hub will also support monitoring programmes for other shark species, including thresher sharks and whale sharks. The Fuvahmulah Thresher Project, launched in late 2025, continues to study the behaviour and movement patterns of thresher sharks in the area.

Following the inauguration, the Fuvahmulah City Council pledged its support for the initiative, highlighting the importance of protecting the marine environment while maintaining the city’s status as a leading shark-diving destination.

The council noted that conservation of marine ecosystems remains essential for the long-term sustainability of Fuvahmulah’s dive tourism sector, which plays a significant role in the local economy.