In February 2020, Maldives Coral Institute held a Coral Workshop in Thulusdhoo island, which brought together coral experts, marine biologists, divers, government representatives and environmentalists in order to take stock of the current plight of Maldivian coral reefs, and to inform and shape a workplan for the MCI that can help protect reefs from the twin threats of infrastructure development and climate change.
The workshop was chaired by President Nasheed, and included presentations from three, world-renowned coral scientists, who also sit on the Maldives Coral Institute’s science advisory group: Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg of the University of Sydney, Dr. Yimnang Golbuu of the Palau International Coral Reef Centre, and Professor Callum Roberts of the University of York. Other participants included representatives from the Maldives Marine Research Institute, NGOs, marine biologists, policy makers and ocean experts from across the country, international organisations including MARS Sustainable Solutions, as well as representatives from the Waitt Institute, and Oceans Unite, organisations that have supported the Maldives Coral Institute since its inception in 2019.
