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"Maldives"

Afaaz is a Resort research and fisheries officer and oversees the sustainable fisheries programme “Laamaseelu Masveriyaa” in the 5 star resort Six Senses Laamu while carrying out community outreach and other coral reef and marine ecosystem research.

Hailing from Huvadhu atoll, Afaaz formed a profound connection with nature at an early age. After A-levels, he joined his family in fishing for tuna, from there it ignited his fascination with the sea and the environment. However, over time his witnessed a distressing amount of plastic pollution, and began to feel deeply troubled. Afaaz used this feeling to fuel his passion to protect the marine life. During his final year of education, he focused his thesis on microplastics in big eye scads at The Maldives National University, aiming to understand their impact on the marine ecosystem in Maldives.

Dr. Aishath Shaira is working as a Lecturer and Assistant professor at Maldives National University, Faculty of Science and Engineering and Technology (FEST). She graduated from University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa with a Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science (hons) (Chemistry), a Master of Science (Chemistry) and a PhD in Chemistry. She had also obtained a teaching advanced diploma in Chemistry and Mathematics from the Maldives College of Higher Education.

Aside from lecturing, she also supervises undergraduate student research projects and takes part in different Research Projects, as well as working in South Asian Nitrogen Hub project as a researcher since 2022.

Ali is the Community Outreach Coordinator for Maldives Underwater Initiative by Six Senses Laamu. His passion for nature and the ocean has led him to work on several conservation research projects throughout Laamu but In his current role, he is trying to focus on ways to strengthen waste management in Laamu atoll, and raise awareness of different issues. He works closely with his team and collaborates with them to work towards creating more inclusive, aware, and resilient island communities.

Azhoora is a passionate environmentalist and ocean lover, born and raised in the Maldives. Growing up surrounded by the beauty of the ocean, she developed a strong connection and love for the environment from a young age.

Currently she is working as the Inspire Manager with Soneva Namoona, an NGO aiming to create empowered Zero Waste Communities across the Maldives. There focus is to reduce single-use plastics, create sustainable waste management systems and increasing environmental stewardship within communities. As a key member of the organisation, she plays a crucial role in their mission to tackle the urgent issue of single-use plastics, which pose a significant threat to the pristine marine ecosystems of the Maldives.

Hassan Saeed has worked within utility services and the environment sector for 20 years. Living on Kaafu Atoll, he currently works for Research Triangle Institute as their Plastic Reduction Coordinator.

As well as his career focusing on finding ways to reduce plastic pollution, Hassan is also a keen sports fisherman and wants to learn more about how he and his fellow fisherman can lower their impact and contribute in reducing the plastic reliance in the sport. Hassan also hopes to use the knowledge from the programme to improve his expertise in his job role.

Ibrahim Nadheeh is a Consultant Senior Fisheries Research Officer for International Pole and Line Foundation from Kaafu Atoll.

With a lifelong passion for fishing, Ibrahim has been involved in Maldivian fisheries projects since June 1991. Most of his work includes collecting information on the Maldivian one-by-one tuna fishery, including data on tuna and baitfish catch, fuel use and bycatch. This information supports much of IPNLF’s building evidence work which is key to informing management and best practise decision making.

As a qualified observer, his time spent within the industry and working alongside small scale fishers has given him a wealth of sea-going experience with a wide network of fisherfolk. His work focuses primarily on the fisheries themselves, mostly involving hands on field work, means that Ibrahim has frequent contact with stakeholders who are directly related to the ocean. He prides himself on the excellent relationships he has fostered and maintained within the fishing community as this is key to helping to preserve the environment.

With the knowledge he gains from the programme he hopes to empower others with knowledge, specifically within his line of work, and across wider channels such as social media.

Ibrahim Saneeh is a Fisheries research officer at International Pole and Line Foundation. He has always been fascinated by the ocean and understanding the ways in which Maldives depends on it as a coastal country. Fishing and Tourism play a significant role in supportive Maldivian communities as they heavily rely on the marine resources. As such, Ibrahim wants to find his role in helping to preserving the ocean so that the surrounding communities can continue to thrive.

By gaining more knowledge about plastic pollution, Ibrahim wants to improve the projects already in place in Maldives to enhance their potential and positive impact.

As a State Attorney, Ihusana firmly believes that the younger generation are our hope for saving our planet. She wants to find a way to play a positive role in the community and discover new ways to protect the ocean. As a member of Clean Maldives and HWPL, she feels that plastic pollution is the most difficult issue to tackle, as it has become something that we as a society depend on so heavily, but it is critical that we find sustainable alternatives.

At the young age of 16, Ismail began his career in IT. Over time, he developed his skills to contribute to the ever-changing IT industry, and developed a wealth of experience along the way.

However outside of IT, his found a love of fishing. He found that it brought him peace and joy, and slowly began to appreciate the importance of the health of the ocean. Ismail felt inspired to begin advocating for the environment by promoting sustainable reef and sports fishing. Highlighting the dangers of overfishing and other environmental challenges, led him to also take on the position of a fishing charter operator with Triton Tours.

Whilst still working within IT sector, Ismail has observed the drastic impacts of fishing and wants to find a way to spread awareness within the sport fishing community too.

Khady is passionate about creating change, finding ways to transform our existing systems in the world to make space for a better world where we can exist in harmony with nature. She currently works the Reduce Manager for Soneva Namoona, in which she is responsible for overseeing programs and projects to reduce single use plastics and overall waste. Khady has already achieved great progress in this field such as helping to set up glass water bottling facilities in Baa and Noonu atoll to provide an alternative for drinking water packaged in plastics. She is also working hard to introduce menstrual cups and reusable pads to island communities through a partnership between Soneva Namoona, UNFPA Maldives and Zero Waste Maldives.

Dr. Mariyam Shahuneeza Naseer is a Senior Research Fellow at Maldives National University from Kaafu Atoll.

She previously served as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the Islamic University of Maldives until August 2019 and her Postdoctoral research focused on Quality Assurance in Higher Education. Holding a Doctorate in Education from Walden University, USA, she has extensive experience in roles such as Lead Researcher, Data Analyst, and Consultant. Notably, as a Consultant at the Small Countries Financial Management Centre, she played a pivotal role in a comprehensive program evaluation for the Small Countries Financial Management Program in the Indian Ocean and African Region.

Mohamed Faiz is a fishing enthusiast, ocean lover and primary school teacher from Raa Atoll.

He is passionate about discovering new ways to spread awareness about the harmful effects of plastic pollution in our oceans and helping others to understand their role in protecting the marine ecosystem. Mohamed believes that to do this, it is crucial to engage with local communities and empower them to take action. To overcome the issues surrounding plastic pollution, he wants to support others in finding solutions and have a positive impact on the environment and policies around single use plastic in Maldives.

Rifath Mohamed is a laundry assistant at a health centre. Originally from Faafu atoll, he has a positive outlook on conservation and believes that together we can do anything!

He is driven by his passion for the ocean and wanting to see the water clear from pollution. He hopes that this programme will enlighten him with new ways he can approach plastic pollution to restore the environment.

With this knowledge he wants to find ways to actively engage and communicate with his local community about the importance of protecting the ocean, as this in turn will help protect their livelihoods.

Director of International Pole and Line Foundation.

Zana Shiraz is an Assistant Research Officer at the Maldives Marine Research Institute, within the Endangered, Threatened and Protected species unit. She is leading the microplastic research at the Institute, where they focus on the microplastic distribution and concentration in the marine environment, with the aim of seeing how much it effects the organisms.

Working within the field for the last 7 years, her passion for the marine world was present even before joining the institute when she worked as a Divemaster.