In a significant step forward for marine conservation, seventeen prominent resorts across the Maldives have pledged to protect the nation’s vital seagrass meadows under the Seagrass Industry Leaders Circle initiative, led by Maldives Resilient Reefs (MRR) and the Blue Marine Foundation. The pledge signing ceremony took place today on Dhiffushi Island, where participating resorts were honoured with awards recognising their dedication to ocean stewardship.

The resorts committing to this pledge are:

• Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

• Anantara Veli Maldives

• Naladhoo Private Island Maldives

• Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

• Dhawa Ihuru

• Angsana Velavaru

• Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

• Coco Bodu Hithi

• Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

• Kurumba Maldives

• LUX* South Ari Atoll

• Niyama Private Islands Maldives

• Siyam World Maldives

• Six Senses Laamu

• Six Senses Kanuhura

• Taj Exotica Resort & Spa

• Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa

During the ceremony, these resorts collectively pledged to recognise the critical role of seagrass ecosystems in sustaining healthy marine life and to reject the practice of seagrass removal within the Maldives tourism industry.

The event also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Maldives, a Rare Global Seagrass Bright Spot”, which explored the successes and challenges of seagrass conservation in the country.

The panel featured diverse perspectives:

• Muhusina Abdul Rahman shared insights on policy progress, highlighting ongoing efforts to designate and implement protected areas and biosphere reserves in the Maldives. As a national focal point for the Convention on Biological Diversity and co-chair of the Asia Protected Area Partnership, she emphasised integrating seagrass conservation into national biodiversity strategies.

• Aminath Shaha Hashim, Executive Director of Maldives Resilient Reefs, discussed the organisation’s journey, including the #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass campaign. She highlighted how engaging Maldivians in marine conservation is crucial for long-term success and shared findings from her recent research on the historical status of marine habitats in the Maldives.

• Maddie Millington-Drake, Senior Climate Project Manager at Blue Marine Foundation, elaborated on ocean climate policy and blue carbon ecosystems. She underscored the potential of seagrass meadows in natural capital markets and their capacity as solutions to climate change mitigation, based on her global project experiences.

• Lawrence Menz, Director of Sustainability and Conservation at Six Senses Laamu, shared practical resort-level initiatives, from guest education to seagrass monitoring. He emphasised the importance of integrating sustainability into operational strategies to create authentic, nature-based experiences that also benefit local communities.

Joining the panel virtually were three international researchers:

• Dr Matthew Floyd, Research Fellow in Physical Geography and Environmental Science at Northumbria University, presented findings from his PhD research on Maldivian seagrass habitats, including mapping their current and historical extents and exploring their role as nurseries for juvenile fish species.

• Jessica Arnull, Research and Project Manager at the UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub, University of Edinburgh, discussed her work in Laamu Atoll examining the biogeochemical functioning of seagrasses as nutrient buffers, their influence on coral health, and implications for coastal water quality.

• Dr Jordan Gacutan, Senior Research Fellow at the Sustainable Development Reform Hub, University of New South Wales, shared insights from leading the Natural Capital Accounts for Laamu Atoll. He emphasised the economic valuation of ecosystems including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses in informing policy and sustainable development decisions.

Since its inception in 2019, MRR in partnership with the Blue Marine Foundation has been a pioneering force in safeguarding seagrass meadows across the country. Their unwavering efforts have driven transformational change within the tourism sector, with over a quarter of Maldivian resorts now committed to preserving more than 830,000 square metres of seagrass habitats. Their work has also earned the endorsement of the Ministry of Tourism, leading to the Maldives Marine Research Institute adopting seagrass monitoring protocols as a national standard.

Seagrass meadows are a lifeline for the Maldives. Like forests on land, they absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, serving as natural allies in the fight against climate change. They provide crucial habitats, shelter, and feeding grounds for countless marine species – from endangered green sea turtles and rays to juvenile reef sharks. Found alongside coral reefs, seagrass beds trap harmful nutrients and pollutants, preventing damage to delicate corals, and act as natural buffers, reducing wave energy and protecting shorelines from erosion.

From a tourism perspective, the benefits of preserving these meadows are immense. They attract vibrant marine life that visitors travel from around the world to see, offering unforgettable experiences such as snorkelling alongside grazing turtles. Six Senses Laamu exemplifies this approach, with guests often citing snorkelling among its flourishing seagrass beds as a highlight of their stay.

However, a 2017 survey exposed a concerning reality: more than half of Maldivian resorts were removing seagrass meadows to maintain the iconic clear turquoise lagoons and white sandy beaches that the Maldives is renowned for.

Ocean advocates argue that seagrass meadows, far from spoiling scenic views, actually enrich them with vibrant hues of green while supporting marine biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Remarkably, seagrass meadows can bury carbon in sediment up to 40 times faster than tropical forests, making them powerful allies in mitigating climate change.

Valued at approximately USD 19,000 per hectare per year for the ecosystem services they provide to fisheries and tourism, seagrass meadows are a priceless natural asset to the Maldives’ economy, environment, and identity.

The Seagrass Industry Leaders Circle is a clarion call to reshape the Maldives’ tourism narrative, fostering authentic, nature-based experiences while protecting the ecosystems that underpin the nation’s future.