President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has asserted that the people have a responsibility to safeguard and conserve the oceans for the future generations.

Speaking at an event held in Neykurendhoo island of Haa Dhaalu atoll organized by the Maldives Marine Research Institute in association with Blue Prosperity Coalition to launch the “Maldives Expedition” on Tuesday, the president extended gratitude to the partners of the coalition and the institute for the initiation of the Maldives Expedition.

Describing it to be the most detailed research expedition launched thus far to survey Maldives waters, Solih highlighted that the expedition will gather the required statistics to assist legislators to make “more informed” decisions.

While the research is to be carried out in two phases, the president stated that teams will be conducting a biodiversity census at the first phase and also assessing factors affecting the ocean’s biodiversity.

Results of the research will be made available to the public through a publication, said the president.

Further, he stated that the second phase of the research will be revolved around deriving policies in accordance with the research outcomes and that the research will help the country implement a “true Blue Economy” which will balance the country’s economic growth and reach sustainable marine resources.

Solih went on to shed light on the pivotal role councilors will play in the implementation of conservation efforts which fall under their respective jurisdictions as the recently ratified amendment to the Decentralization Act grants more power to local councils.

Maldives Expedition comprises of scientists and researchers from the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI), Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, and Blue Prosperity Coalition partners; the Waitt Institute, National Geographic Pristine Seas, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Nekton.