The Olive Ridley Project

In 2022, Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi joined forces with the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a leading non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles in the Indian Ocean. Their mission encompasses three fundamental pillars: Rescue and Rehabilitation, Scientific Research, and Education and Outreach. Through these initiatives, they actively safeguard sea turtles from the perils of ghost fishing gear entanglement, marine debris ingestion, and boat collisions. They conduct vital in-water and beach surveys, supplying essential data for the protection of these majestic creatures and the formulation of effective conservation strategies. Furthermore, ORP is committed to educating local communities, resort guests, and our dedicated staff, instilling awareness and a deeper sense of responsibility toward marine environments.

Neus, our resident ORP Sea Turtle Biologist, leads insightful discussions about sea turtles every Sunday and Friday at 4 pm. She tirelessly patrols our beaches daily, diligently monitoring sea turtle tracks and nests, ensuring their safety and success. She conducts nest exhumations, offering crucial insights into nest viability, typically 48 hours after hatchlings emerge. Neus also serves as a snorkel guide for the Turtle Rangers program, where they capture photo IDs of sea turtles encountered at sea, expanding the sea turtle sighting database of Shaviyani Atoll. She is always eager to answer any questions related to sea turtles, so do not hesitate to visit her at the Sustainability Lab.

Did you know that our house reef plays a pivotal role as a foraging ground for critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles? These remarkable creatures feed on sponges nestled within the coral crevices, contributing to the thriving ecosystem of our reef. Their presence is due, in part, to the reassuring presence of respectful snorkelers and divers who adhere to the Olive Ridley Project code of conduct.

By following these guidelines, you not only avoid disturbing these beautiful creatures but also create the opportunity for a unique wildlife encounter:

Each turtle possesses a unique face, just like humans. By photographing their faces, our sea turtle biologist can identify and track each individual through a non-invasive technique known as Photo-ID. This invaluable tool allows us to understand population dynamics, track movements, estimate abundance, and gather essential data on foraging grounds and nesting activities. You can actively contribute to this critical research by sharing your sea turtle pictures from Maldives, Kenya, Oman, and Seychelles.

To ensure a successful Sea turtle ID, please provide:

• One clear image of the right side of the turtle’s face

• One clear image of the left side of the turtle’s face

• Specific location, ideally with GPS coordinates (if possible)

• Date and time of the sighting

• Your full name

Additional information, such as pictures of the top of the head and shell are also welcome. Kindly send your images by email to shaviyani@oliveridleyproject.org. However, always remember to adhere to the guidelines for swimming and diving with sea turtles.

If you capture footage of these incredible sea creatures, please share it with Neus, our sea turtle biologist. She can identify the individual and add the sighting to our comprehensive database. You might encounter her at the Sustainability Lab or alongside guests as a turtle ranger or patrolling the beach in search of turtle tracks.

Would you like to meet the resident sea turtles of our house reef up close? Consider booking a Turtle Ranger underwater excursion with Neus or one of our Marine Biology Department guides.

Download the Turtle Code of Conduct in Your Preferred Language:

Dhivehi

German

Russian

Simplified Chinese