I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Miyaru for being the first organization featured in my blog series on NGOs. I first connected with Miyaru during my visit to the Maldives last year and was truly inspired by their small but dedicated team making a significant impact in ocean conservation. Their passion and commitment to marine advocacy are nothing short of inspiring, and I’m thrilled they were willing to be part of my blog’s launch.

Sharing stories and research like theirs is exactly what Sail Marine Biology is all about. I had the privilege of interviewing Miyaru’s co-founder, Arzucan Askin, whose insights and expertise further highlighted the importance of their work.

I also want to give a special mention to Basith Mohammad, whom I met while training for my AIDA2 freediving certification. His deep love for the ocean and dedication to the Maldivian people was infectious. Since then, I’ve developed a newfound appreciation for freediving as a way to connect more intimately with the ocean.

I’m beyond excited to highlight Miyaru’s incredible work and to continue sharing the stories of those making a difference in marine conservation.

Miyaru:

"The word "Miyaru" means "shark" in Dhivehi, the national language of the Maldives, a country made up of 1192 coral islands that formed into 26 atolls. Our research programme was founded in the waters of this ocean nation." - Miyaru

Maldives location: Photo credit to Giggly Travel

Main Story:

The Guardians of the Deep: An Inside Look at Miyaru’s Mission to Protect Maldives’ Sharks:

Sharks are some of the most vital yet misunderstood creatures in our oceans. In the Maldives, where the crystal-clear waters are home to an incredible diversity of marine life, sharks play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. However, despite their importance, these apex predators have long lacked the dedicated conservation efforts afforded to other marine species. That’s where Miyaru comes in.

In this exclusive interview, we dive into the origins of Miyaru, its groundbreaking research, and the challenges and triumphs of conserving sharks in the Maldives.

The Origins of Miyaru: Filling a Critical Conservation Gap

The Maldives has a thriving marine research scene, with NGOs dedicated to protecting turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks. However, until recently, predatory sharks, despite their ecological importance and increasing threats had no national-level NGO championing their cause. This gap in conservation and research, coupled with limited opportunities for local communities to engage in shark studies, led to the founding of Miyaru.

Miyaru was created to fill this void, establishing a collaborative research network to study, monitor, and protect sharks in the Maldives. Today, the organization connects scientific groups, facilitates groundbreaking research, and works to strengthen conservation efforts through both science and community engagement.

Miyaru’s Core Research Areas:

Miyaru’s research is focused on gathering essential baseline data on critically endangered shark species, including their habitat use, reproduction, and distribution across the Maldives. Some of their key projects include:

• Deep-Sea Sharks: Collaborating with local fishermen to log deep-sea shark bycatch and deploying baited deep-sea cameras to study sharks at depths of 200 to 1500 meters.

• Shark Ultrasounds: Conducting free-swimming ultrasounds on sharks to better understand their reproductive biology and inform conservation efforts.

• Citizen Science & Shark ID: Establishing a national platform where divers and tourists can log shark sightings, contributing valuable data to ongoing research.

• eDNA Sampling: Using environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to detect the presence of shark species in various locations, providing a non-invasive method to track their distribution.

Through these initiatives, Miyaru is bridging critical knowledge gaps and pioneering innovative research to better understand and protect the Maldives’ shark populations.

Challenges & Triumphs in Shark Conservation:

Groundbreaking Successes:

Miyaru has already made significant strides in shark conservation:

• Deep-Sea Exploration: In partnership with the NatGeo Exploration Technology Lab, they have deployed deep-sea cameras, providing unprecedented insights into shark behavior and habitat use.

• First Free-Swimming Tiger Shark Ultrasounds: Collaborating with Oregon State University and local dive schools, they conducted the first-ever free-swimming tiger shark ultrasounds in the Indian Ocean.

• Expanding Citizen Science: Their national Shark ID program has empowered divers and tourists to contribute vital data to shark population monitoring.

• Capacity Building & Mentorship: Miyaru has helped train and mentor emerging researchers, including securing the first-ever ZSL Edge Fellowship for shark research in the Maldives and sending a Maldivian student to South Africa for hands-on shark research training.

Challenges in Shark Conservation:

Despite these successes, Miyaru faces several hurdles in its mission:

• Balancing Conservation & Economic Interests: While the Maldives has a national shark fishing ban, balancing conservation with tourism and fisheries remains a complex challenge.

• Geographical Limitations: The Maldives is a vast archipelago, making research and monitoring efforts logistically difficult and costly.

• Limited Research Infrastructure: The country has minimal facilities for advanced genetic and physiological research, requiring collaborations with international institutions.

• Building Local Research Capacity: Specialized shark research training has historically been limited in the Maldives, making it essential to invest in training local researchers and conservationists.

• Starting from Scratch: Unlike established shark research sites like the Galápagos or Great Barrier Reef, shark research in the Maldives is still in its early stages, requiring a major push for collaboration and long-term monitoring.

Changing Perceptions: What More People Should Know About Sharks

Miyaru wants the world to understand that the Maldives is more than just a luxury tourism destination, it is a crucial stronghold for critically endangered shark species. The region serves as a refuge for many sharks facing immense fishing pressure elsewhere, particularly in the Indian Ocean, where shark populations have declined by 71% since the 1970s.

Moreover, marine conservation isn’t just about science. True change happens when researchers, local communities, policymakers, and industries collaborate. Conservation efforts are most effective when communities are engaged, policymakers are informed, and industries like tourism and fisheries play an active role in protecting marine life.

How You Can Support Miyaru’s Mission:

Want to contribute to shark conservation in the Maldives? Here’s how:

1. Join Citizen Science Efforts: If you’re diving in the Maldives, submit your shark sightings to Miyaru’s ID database. Your contributions help track and protect shark populations.

2. Collaborate With Miyaru: As a young NGO, Miyaru is eager to partner with scientists, educators, filmmakers, and organizations passionate about shark conservation.

3. Spread Awareness: Follow Miyaru on social media and help raise global awareness about the importance of the Maldives Shark Sanctuary.

   
   

By working together, we can ensure that sharks continue to thrive in the Maldives’ waters, playing their vital role in maintaining a healthy ocean ecosystem.

Miyaru is not just an NGO—it’s a movement dedicated to ensuring that sharks receive the recognition and protection they deserve. Through science, collaboration, and education, they are shaping the future of shark conservation in the Maldives.

Want to learn more? Follow their journey and support their mission to protect these incredible marine predators!