Maldives Shares Findings of First Deep-Sea Marine Life Survey Conducted in Six Atolls

The findings of a survey of the Maldives' deep-sea areas and the marine life and environment in those areas have been shared with the public. The event to share the findings of the "Necton Fast Descent: Maldives" research, conducted jointly by the Maldives Marine Research Institute, the UK-based Necton Foundation and the Maldives National University (MNU), was held at the MNU Business School Auditorium. The opening ceremony was honoured by MNU Chancellor Dr. Mahmood Shauqee. In partnership with the Maldives Marine Research Institute and the Necton Foundation — a UK association that conducts research on the oceans — a survey was carried out in September and October 2022 in six atolls of the Maldives. The survey of the deep-sea areas of those atolls, carried out for the first time to obtain information about the marine life and environment in those areas, and the further work being carried out based on the research findings published so far and the data collected, have been shared with the public. Photo: Ministry of Fisheries. The event also provided information on the planning of the research expedition and the operations carried out for the research work, as well as the technology used to survey the deep-sea areas. Short film clips based on the work carried out during the expedition were also shown. In addition, information on the main results obtained so far, the research that has been published, and the various analyses being carried out based on the data gathered during the survey expedition, as well as a guide on the marine life of the deep-sea areas, were presented. Information on the work carried out so far to identify the specimens collected during the research, the workshops held and the findings of that work were also shared.