SCIENTIFIC CRUISE 2023 REPORT

From the 30th of April to the 15th of May 2023, we took part in the Scientific Cruise organised by ISSD (International School for Scientific Divers) and the University of Genoa (Italy), in partnership with Albatros Top Boat tour operator.

During this expedition, we had the opportunity to explore and monitor the reefs in the atolls of Male’ North and South, Ari, Felidhoo and Mulaku.

As usual, Save the Beach team was responsible for the Reef Check activity and in these two weeks, we trained and certified 10 new eco-divers. Thanks to the good historical series, we are also helping two students develop their master’s thesis about the Reef Check monitoring protocol in the Maldives.

We also had the opportunity to work on our new reef monitoring protocol and to improve the methodology. We aim to develop a new protocol which encompasses the substrate, the fish and the macro-invertebrates communities. As soon as the data will be analysed we will share our findings!

Together with the reef Check protocol, other methodologies were applied to study different aspects of the reef:

The reef scape: drawing of the reef profile with coral cover and biodiversity assessment

The coral recruits: count the abundance and biodiversity of coral recruits on the reefs

The Coral Condition Index: an ecological index meant to evaluate the coral condition on the reefs

Also, three new studies were added up to increase the research effort:

Researcher Annaliza Azzola from the University of Genoa studied, collected and characterised the population of Gorgonians (sea fans). Very few studies have been led in the Maldives and there is not a proper characterization of the different species, we are very excited about the analysis and the results. In the meantime, we had the opportunity to assist and learn more about these incredible organisms.

The student Marianna Demingo from the University of Genoa, collected samples of sand in three different islands to analyse and compare micro-plastic content. The selected islands were two uninhabited islands: Embudhoo (Ari atoll) and Vattaru (Felidhoo atoll), and one local island: Villimalè (North Malè atoll). From this study, it will be possible to highlight differences in the micro-plastic presence and assess if BBQ islands are more, less or equally impacted than local islands. Also, having sampled 3 different atolls it will be interesting to evaluate if there are also geographical differences.  

Researcher Muriel Oddenino from the University of Bari studied, collected and characterised the population of sponges on the reefs. Due to the difficulties in identifying the spicula of the sponges and the high specialization required, very few studies have been led about these fascinating organisms. We had the opportunity to help collect samples and take ID pictures, we are looking forward to seeing the results.

Every year the Scientific Cruise is an incredible experience where we get to meet new researchers and students and to learn so many new things from them!

We are very grateful for the opportunity and we are looking forward for next year expedition!