Six Senses Laamu Partners up with Olive Ridley Project 


Maldives
PUBLISHED July 16, 2018

Six Senses Laamu has announced the establishment of an official partnership with Olive Ridley Project. 

We are thrilled to formalise the already beneficial relationship we have with Olive Ridley Project and welcome Nina to the team. The great work in sea turtle conservation and plastic pollution they do across the Maldives will be central to achieving our conservation objectives in the Laamu Atoll." Said General Manager Marteyne van Well of Six Senses Laamu

The Olive Ridley Project is a UK registered charity with the mission of protecting all species of sea turtles, including the Olive Ridley sea turtle for which the organisation is named. Olive Ridley sea turtles are rarely seen in the Maldives and most encounters occur when they are unfortunately trapped in discarded ghost nets drifting into the countrys waters by ocean currents. 

The Olive Ridley Projects important work involves removing ghost nets and other marine debris from the sea, rescuing and rehabilitating injured sea turtles and raising awareness about the dangers of ocean pollution to the livelihood of sea turtles. 

The Olive Ridley Projects national database consists of over 3,000 individual turtles and Six Senses Laamus marine biologists have been contributing photo IDs from Laamu Atoll since 2016, while simultaneously building their database of about 350 individuals. The aim is to study the turtles population and reef residency patterns to inform important conservation objectives. 


Six Senses Laamu also contributes data on the ghost nets found, which the Olive Ridley Project uses to determine the origin of the nets, educate people on the dangers of ghost nets and the importance of preventing them, as well as inform policymakers on net design that is least likely to cause entanglement. 

"We are excited to partner with Six Senses Laamu as we continue our charitable aims of rescuing sea turtles, combating plastic pollution and raising awareness."  Said Founder and CEO of the Olive Ridley Project, Martin Stelfox.

Six Senses Laamu is located on Olhuveli Island in Laamu Atoll, a nesting beach for Green Turtles. In 2017, the resort hosted eight turtle nests and welcomed over 500 hatchlings into the world. The 2018 nesting season has begun with three nests in the last month and it is expected to welcome its first hatchlings in mid-June 2018. 

One primary objective of the partnership with the Olive Ridley Project is to create a sanctuary for turtles in Laamu Atoll. Research on feeding in seagrass habitats and nesting in beach habitats on Olhuveli and surrounding islands will complement the existing photo identification work. A sea turtle biologist, Nina Rothe, will be based at the resort to facilitate guest interaction with Six Senses resident Green and Hawksbill turtles, both of which are on the endangered species list. Kids activities and evening presentations at the resort will inform guests about sea turtle biology, the critical role they play in coral reef ecosystems and the threats they face.

Six Senses Laamu is the only resort in the Laamu Atoll, deep in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a beautiful coral house reef. Most of the villas and facilities are built over water. However, beach villas and on-land dining is an option. All villas offer a sense of privacy and seclusion, with a fantastic view of the Ocean and Maldivian nature.

Six Senses Laamu offers a wide range of dining options, with cuisines from around the world, an ice cream parlour, an overwater wine cellar and a signature Chill bar. Many activities, excursions and opportunities are available for everyone to enjoy, both over water and underwater, in addition to the Six Senses Spa.

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