Male’, Maldives, 25th March 2024 – In a remarkable milestone for marine conservation efforts, Six Senses Laamu commemorates the one-year anniversary of its Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL), reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship and education.
Introduced in March 2023, the SHELL, nestled on the resort’s sunset beach, has emerged as a beacon for environmental awareness and education, spanning an immersive exhibition space of 2,336 square feet (217 square meters). Designed to engage resort guests, hosts, and Maldivian residents alike, the SHELL offers insights into the diverse marine life thriving in the local ecosystem.
At the heart of the SHELL’s initiatives lies a working marine laboratory operated by the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI), a collaborative endeavor involving marine biologists from Six Senses Laamu and three partnering NGOs: Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and Olive Ridley Project. With over ten marine biologists on board, the SHELL has expanded MUI’s research capabilities, facilitating projects like coral larval restoration and sea turtle DNA analysis.
Among the notable achievements, the SHELL has witnessed the cultivation of ten thousand baby corals and the release of over 12 million coral larvae onto the resort’s house reef. Additionally, research efforts have led to the identification and registration of over 1,000 turtles and 140 manta rays in Laamu Atoll, culminating in the publication of peer-reviewed scientific papers on marine megafauna and blue carbon analysis.
Moreover, the SHELL has fostered community engagement through initiatives like the “Hello Hallu” program, which has reached every school across Laamu Atoll, inspiring 237 students to actively participate in preserving local ecosystems.
Recognizing its groundbreaking sustainability efforts, the SHELL was honored with the Aspire Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award in 2023, underscoring Six Senses Laamu’s dedication to marine conservation.
Lawrence Menz, Director of Sustainability and Conservation at Six Senses Laamu, reflects on the SHELL’s impact: “It began as a dream over 5 years ago and marks several milestones in Laamu Atoll’s marine conservation. Since its opening, we have been able to welcome over 6,000 guests and members of the local community to the SHELL.”
Marteyne van Well, General Manager of Six Senses Laamu, echoes this sentiment, stating, “The SHELL serves as a testament to our unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship, providing a dynamic platform to inspire, educate, and contribute to ongoing conservation efforts in the Maldives.” Van Well’s commitment to ocean protection has also been recognized, recently featuring in Forbes magazine as one of ‘4 Women Creating Ways To Protect The Ocean.’
As SHELL commemorates its one-year milestone, Six Senses Laamu reaffirms its mission to drive positive change and foster a deeper connection with the oceanic environment.
