Dr. Sonia Valladares is the resident marine biologist on the small Maldives island of Coco Bodu Hithi. For my travel blog Just-Wanderlust.com, I spoke to the scientist on site about the problem of coral bleaching, the challenges of growing tourism in the island state and the role of vacationers in saving the underwater world. An interview. 

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The island of Coco Bodu Hithi is a paradisiacal dream island that belongs to the Maldives archipelago. The five-star resort of the same name is located on the small island, where holidaymakers can spend a relaxed, luxury holiday. In addition to the luxurious accommodation and excellent restaurants, the island's main attraction is of course the underwater world of the Indian Ocean. Travelers enjoying their vacation Coco Bodu Hithi (travelogue) You can spend time diving, snorkeling and freediving to discover the underwater world.

In order to give guests a better understanding of the marine world around the island, marine biologist Dr. Sonia Valladares on Coco Bodu Hithi. I discovered the marine world together with the researcher for Just-Wanderlust.com and in Interview talked about the heavy coral bleaching, the downsides of tourism in the Maldives and the importance of vacationers to protect the marine world.

What makes working as a marine biologist on the Maldives and especially on the island of Coco Bodu Hithi so special for you?

dr Sonia Valladares: The Maldives is an island nation whose territory is 99% covered by water and has one of the world's richest marine ecosystems: the coral reefs here are the perfect workplace for a marine biologist. The reefs are the largest biodiversity ecosystem on Earth and are home to thousands of species of fish, invertebrates such as mussels, lobsters, shrimp and starfish, as well as sharks, rays and sea turtles.

The island of Coco Bodu Hithi is located in North Male Atoll. It is a great place to easily discover this everyday sea life while snorkelling. Around the island and nearby there are beautiful reefs with colorful and healthy corals. And it is possible to see sea turtles and reef sharks every day.

Additionally, we have the amazing manta rays. They visit a reef near Bodu Hithi every year from December to April. The easy access to maritime life here in the atoll is really convenient for implementing my field work and for collecting data for the main research programs I work with. But also of course just to enjoy an amazing underwater experience.

What are the topics you are working on here in Bodu Hithi? How is your usual routine?

dr Sonia Valladares: My work involves coral reef ecology and its protection and conservation. I spend a lot of my working time in the water snorkeling and Diving, There are already many friends and colleagues jealous. I'm responsible for monitoring the coral reef around the island. The goal is to assess the status of the coral, to take action to rebuild the coral reef, such as creating coral rotations or coral nurseries, and launching reef clearing to keep the reef healthy and collect data for key research programs.

I also guide guests snorkeling on our house reef or take them on a dhoni (traditional fishing boat) to other reefs near our island. During the snorkeling activities, I will help the guest to have a pleasant underwater experience. For some of them it is their first time snorkeling. I teach them about marine life and promote awareness of ocean conservation. During these tours I also collect data for the research projects in which I am involved.

In which important research projects are you involved?

dr Sonia Valladares: My main research project concerns turtles: I work with the Sea Turtle Identification Project here on the Maldives together, “The Olive Ridley Project”. The Coco Collection, which includes the island of Bodu Hithi, has an official partnership with the conservation organization to study the sea turtle population in the Maldives. I focus on the local population of Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) that live on our house reef or surrounding reefs.

I take pictures of each sea turtle I meet and identify the individuals through photo identification with the unique scale patterns on the sea turtle's face. We have a sea turtle adoption program that involves baptizing a sea turtle that was rediscovered by Bodu Hithi. I will notify sea turtle explorers on future sightings.

When the manta ray season is here in Bodu Hithi, I go snorkeling with the guests and the giants. I take guests snorkeling with these giants and collect data for the Manta Trust organization, which studies the population of manta rays in the Maldives. Similar to the sea turtle project, I identify the manta rays through photo identification, in this case using the spots on the surface of the manta rays.

I also encourage guests and colleagues to collaborate on both identification projects and to help us study and protect these endangered animals. To find out more about Coco Collection's environmental initiatives and projects, visit our blog at http://cococares.wordpress.com visit.

What is the hardest part of your job and which one do you like the most?

dr Sonia Valladares: The “conservation” aspect of my work involves creating animal welfare awareness among guests. Since vacationers from different nationalities visit us, I have to deal with different levels and levels of knowledge in environmental education. This can be quite a challenge when trying to educate about the importance of protecting coral reef habitats - and even more so when guests don't speak English. But when I put them in the water, they become part of the natural underwater world and discover their interest in protecting marine life. I enjoy inspiring people from around the world to care about the marine environment.

The Maldives is a popular holiday destination with rising tourist numbers. What are the challenges for the environment and especially for the underwater world?

dr Sonia Valladares: The Maldives, with its crystal clear waters, white beaches and abundant marine life, is one of the most beautiful places in the world. But also one of the most fragile ecosystems. The number of tourists visiting the Maldives has increased significantly in recent decades, putting pressure on the environment and natural resources. Negative impacts on the marine world occur in different ways:

Marine animals are losing their habitat, pollution is increasing, coral reefs are being destroyed by poor snorkeling and diving practices and, of course, especially overfishing. Sustainable tourism and ecotourism initiatives are key to preserving the environment and the natural beauty that brings many people to this tropical country.

How about the impact on coral bleaching on the reefs in the Indian Ocean - how much of a problem is that? And what about other problems like extensive fishing and shark fins?

dr Sonia Valladares: The El Niño weather phenomenon causes sea surface temperature anomalies. In 2016, the phenomenon strongly affected the Pacific Ocean, producing sea surface temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius in the Maldives. As a result, the corals became stressed and bleached. This causes corals to lose their algae and turn white. This leads to massive death of coral reefs.

The bleaching event was devastating to many Maldivian coral reefs. The Maldives Marine Research Center stated that 73 percent of coral reefs were bleached. There are many other factors, such as acid oceans, pollution, coastal development and overfishing that threaten the survival of coral reefs. Coral reefs are unique ecosystems that provide valuable habitat for thousands of species. They are very important as a natural barrier to protect the coasts from the damaging effects of waves and tropical storms.

They are also an essential resource for tourism and fishing, the two main sources of income for the Maldivian population. Protecting coral reefs is critical to the health of the oceans and the economies of local communities. Each species plays a vital role in maintaining coral reef ecosystems and keeps them healthy. Overfishing is one of the factors that can disrupt the complex balance of coral reefs. Smaller species of fish that eat algae or dead coral are the cleaners of the reef. Big predators like Hedge help control the population of many other marine animals. When sharks disappear, the entire ecosystem is negatively affected.

What can guests do to protect the reefs?

dr Sonia Valladares: Everyone can take effective measures to protect the coral reefs. Even if you live far from coral reefs, you can have an influence on the conservation of the reefs. As the main threat to coral reefs is rising seawater temperature as a result of climate change, reducing fossil fuel emissions is a task that we all need to tackle. Reduce the pollution of our oceans: Do not waste water, generate less wastewater, dispose of your waste properly. Do not throw anything into the ocean, which could harm coral and marine life and, above all, reduce the use of plastic. Because plastic is one of the main problems in our oceans.

Locally, coral reef protection relies on ecotourism and the actions of tourists. When visiting coral reefs, avoid damaging healthy corals by practicing diving and snorkeling responsibly. Do not touch or step on the coral. Help damaged reefs by helping at reef clean-up events and not collecting shells and corals - even when they are dead. Do not support the marine life souvenir trade. And tell others about how to properly treat the marine world.

What are your future goals in marine biology and marine life?

dr Sonia Valladares: I am passionate about marine ecology and the conservation and protection of endangered species. My priority is to learn even more about tropical marine life and lead a conservation project.

I would like to thank you very much for the insightful conversation with Dr. Valladares and am happy about the new insights into marine biology that I was able to gain.

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