Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is pleased to announce a pioneering collaboration with the MaRHE Center of the University of Milano-Bicocca to advance research on tropical marine ecosystems in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, with a focus on the unique resident dolphin populations in the region.

The resort will host an exclusive event on the 12th of December 2024, where current research findings will be shared with key stakeholders in the Maldives.

This groundbreaking partnership will enable scientists and students to investigate why these dolphins remain resident – a rare occurrence in the Maldives. Research will involve identifying dolphin species, analysing population structures, and employing molecular ecology techniques to study their diet. The collaboration also includes studies on coral reefs and reef fish, expanding understanding of the southern Maldives’ marine ecosystems.

Coordinated by Professor Paolo Galli, Director of the MaRHE Center, the initiative also offers hands-on fieldwork opportunities for students specialising in marine biology.

"I am proud of this project, which allows us to expand our knowledge of marine ecology in these under-explored areas," said Professor Paolo Galli.

The collaboration, facilitated by Italian Consul Giorgia Marazzi, is already underway. Under the guidance of renowned cetologist Elena Valsecchi, two master’s students from the International Marine Sciences program are conducting fieldwork supported by Mercure Maldives Kooddoo. Their research includes photo identification, vocalization recordings, and environmental DNA analysis.

This partnership not only marks a significant step in understanding and preserving the unique marine ecosystems of the southern Maldives but also aims to drive more visibility to the country’s awe-inspiring marine life and eco-tourism.