My Life as a Marine Biology Intern
Hi everyone. I am Mailis, Seamarc’s new marine biology intern at the Marine Discovery Centre here at Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru. I am in the final year of my ‘Agronomy and Animal Technologies’ course, and decided to specialise in sea turtle conservation.
On my arrival at Landaa, we had a total of seven Olive Ridley turtle patients that had been found floating on the surface of the ocean or rescued from entanglement in drifting ghost fishing nets. People from around the Maldives send rescued and sick animals to our large specialised treatment and rehabilitation centre.
I have been busy working alongside Sarah, assisting with pool cleaning and turtle care, along with feeding and monitoring (measuring, weighing and photographing.) ‘Deviana’ recently underwent amputation surgery, and needs a lot of care and attention (antibiotics, daily wound cleaning, application of Betadine and Silveleb creams).
Vasya the Green Turtle weigh-in
Want to experience life as a marine biologist here in the Maldives ?
Then head over to our Marine Savers vacancies page and Seamarc Volunteers pages for further details.
Two further turtles also needed significant attention: Bonita and Kalo. Kalo arrived on 20 April with a large abscess on the left front flipper, and we had to cut through it in order to remove all the infected liquid. Unfortunately, Kalo’s overall health was very poor and we were not able to save him.
Another important project here is the Reefscapers Coral Frame Propagation Programme to enhance the coral reefs around the resort. I have been assisting our Coral Biologist, Alexia, to collect coral fragments and put them on coral frames, which are sponsored by guests.
We continually monitor coral growth by photographing each frame for a central database, and carry out re-transplantation when necessary (replacing dead corals on existing frames). We monitor each coral frame and their growth by taking pictures every six months and when it’s necessary we replace any dead corals with new living fragments.
I get to assist Sarah and Julien on Guided Snorkel Adventures, Turtles Safaris and Dolphins Cruises. Before each excursion there is a Marine Life Presentation for guests, to inform them about the different animals they are likely to encounter, along with some biology and conservation information. In just a short few weeks, I have seen a lot of Spinner Dolphins, Hawksbill Turtles, Black Tip Reef Sharks and of course lots of colourful and varied marine life… a wonderful moment each time!
Carrying the Fenfushi turtle hatchlings
I was recently assisting in the release of Green Turtle hatchlings as part of the Nest Protection Programme. We all gathered at the MDC for a brief presentation, and then took a boat for a 30 minute ride to the island of Fenfushi. It is an uninhabited agricultural island, where the island caretakers are actively involved in protecting the turtle nests and taking care of the young hatchlings. We had a tour of the island before collecting up the hatchlings from their temporary pools, and releasing them safely out to sea (in deep water between Baa and Raa Atolls).
The care and rehabilitation of the turtles here is very satisfying work.
Vasya (a Green Turtle) was being kept as a pet on a local island called Thulhaadhoo (SW of Baa Atoll) for about one year. The turtle seemed in good health, but might have some deficiencies and the front flippers appear to be shorter than usual. Vasya stayed for 10 days under observation at our Centre, being fed well before release.
Releasing Vasya into the ocean
Thomas (an Olive Ridley turtle) had been found entangled in a sand bag close by to Coco Palm Resort. Despite a missing front flipper missing and a lacerated rear flipper, he made a very good recovery and was soon fit for release back into the sea.
I have also been assisting Aku and Akram, who look after the Fish Lab and the Clownfish breeding programme. The Blackfoot (Maldivian) anemonefish and Clark’s anemonefish are bred under controlled conditions, with a diet of zooplankton (which is also produced here in the lab). The objective of this programme is to develop fish breeding techniques in the Maldives, and therefore reduce the need for taking these animals directly from the wild for selling in the ornamental aquarium market. I was lucky to assist with the egg spawning and hatching process of a breeding couple of Maldivian clownfish during my stay.
Finally, I had the amazing chance to see and swim with Manta Rays … a very wonderful experience! There were more than forty mantas at Hanifaru bay, swimming all around and so close. It’s an enchanting animal, and I now have some very beautiful memories.
Vasya swimming free
Do you want to experience life as a marine biologist
here in the Maldives ?
Head over to our Employment page to read about the different ways you can work with us - full time, apprentice or intern.
And see more from our Interns in their very own words & photos as part of our Diary / Blog series.