Baros Maldives to Become Country’s 1st Training Center

Submitted by Reef Check EcoDiver Course Director Jean-Luc Solandt

The Marine Conservation Society, Baros Maldives and Reef Check are collaborating on a unique training opportunity in the Maldives this September. Baros Maldives resort, situated in North Male atoll in the diverse Maldives Islands is becoming the first Reef Check Eco-resort and training center of the Maldives. RC Maldives Course Director Dr. Jean-Luc Solandt will be providing the week-long training to members of the dive staff from September 10th – 17th. The conclusion of this training week will result in two MPAs being surveyed using the Reef Check methodology, expanding on surveys carried out in the Maldives since 2005. The more significant legacy of the training will be that Baros Maldives dive staff will then be able to train visitors to the resort to become EcoDivers and involve them in surveying of local reefs, both concentrating on the MPAs already surveyed, but also expanding surveys to new locations.

Dr. Solandt is delighted with the development and commitment to conservation action by Baros Maldives, “The Maldives is a relatively hard place to access and carry out Reef Check, so the involvement of Baros Maldives in these surveys is vital in continuing our survey work in the nation, and developing new surveys at exceptional sites in and around North Male.”