Spotting a pod of serene pilot whales is in stark contrast …
… to the wild acrobatics of spinner dolphins!
Fish Lab, Aquaria, and Marine Life in the Maldives
Plankton Production
Our plankton and algae cultures are used as the main food source for the residents of our Fish Lab.
– Microalgae – a steady 400L is now sufficient volume for our Lab requirements.
– Rotifers – Population density declined to 308 ind/mL. Feeding: 2.5mL Nannochloropsis, 3 times/day.
– Artemia – Daily cyst use decreased: 6g → 5g, due to reduced jellyfish population.
Moon Jellyfish
Processing issues during a water change in the 40L Kriesel caused high mortality. We were able to transfer 200 individuals from the July 2025 batch over to the 85L Kreisel, where they were joined by jellyfish from the cylinder tank until it is fully operational again.
Ornamental Fish & Shrimp Breeding
- Clark’s anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) – The breeding pair in tanks #3 and #5 laid 5 egg batches in total. No larvae were collected, as we focus on other residents. [Lifecycle graphic]
- Dancing shrimp (Thor amboinensis) – No larvae were collected this month.
Groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)
On 27 July, a new batch of 310 groupers arrived. With 6 new 1000L tanks added, each tank now holds ~50 individuals to maintain consistent density. Average arrival size was 8cm and 62g (30–100g range).
During August, all batches were counted, measured, and graded. A total of 507 individuals are thriving, with 14 mortalities.
For the October 2024 and March 2025 batches, measurements show a biomass gain of +6.3kg over 80 days (averaging +49g per individual).
Sea Grapes (Caulerpa racemosa)
Our sea grape culture in our saltwater pond, downstream of the grouper aquaculture facility, is still thriving. The algae have fully covered ~25% of the pond. To promote propagation of the algae, we pruned the original large patch and dispersed cuttings randomly across the uncovered area. These new, smaller samples continue to grow well. But some small portions of algae have bleached and died, possibly due to the shallow (1-16cm depth) warm water and excess sunlight. We will continue to monitor the extent of the bleaching and consider implementing a shade as required. Growth of the sea grapes is monitored by taking drone pictures from above.
Our local marine apprentices enjoy hands-on training …
… across all of our marine conservation activities.
Guest Excursions
At Landaa Giraavaru this month, 28 guests enjoyed tours of our Marine Discovery Centre. Our 8 Dolphin Cruise excursions were joined by 136 guests, where we sighted Spinners and Bottlenose Dolphins. A total of 173 guests enjoyed our guided snorkel trips (Adventure, Turtle Safaris, Night-time, Parrot Reef).
At Kuda Huraa, a total of 287 guests enjoyed 43 marine excursions (plus 3 private trips) to 8 different sites, where we recorded sightings of 14 megafauna species.
Junior Marine Savers
August was a busy month for our Junior Marine Savers program, as we held 7 programs for 9 students from a wide range of backgrounds. They were interested in learning more about the ocean, and had a personalised experience tailored to their individual interests and in-water skills. They got to spend a morning with us to understand more about sea turtles, dolphins, and coral biology, before helping feed our resident turtles and build a coral frame. While on the snorkel portion of the program, we were able to identify organisms ranging from reef fish to sharks, and even a hawksbill sea turtle.
School Visits
This month, we hosted 2 fantastic school visits for students from Ahmadhiyya International School and Thaajuddeen School. We spent
the day discussing the current state of Maldivian reefs, marine biology, and how everyone can play a role in promoting sustainable practices as ocean ambassadors. Students assisted in feeding our sea turtles, and built their own coral frames before we ended our time with an interactive and spirited game of Ocean Trivia. We are grateful to all the staff and students for making the journey out to Kuda Huraa, and we hope they can spread their passion for the environment to others!
Maldives Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation
Wild hawksbill sea turtles like to swim around our coral frames …
… at both Landaa and Kuda Huraa, grazing for food.
Turtle Nest at Landaa!
On the morning of 25 August, we spotted tell-tale tracks on the beach, likely from a nesting female green sea turtle. We were able to locate the nest, and set up a protective screen to avoid any disturbance. We expect the eggs to hatch around the 24 October … fingers crossed for a healthy clutch of hatchlings!
Zi’s Big Release Day!
This month, we waved a very special goodbye to Zi, our 100th turtle release since the 2012 start of Kuda Huraa’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Project. Zi, a resilient female olive ridley sea turtle, was admitted to our rehab centre in early April after being found entangled in a drifting ghost net (discarded fishing gear). She was suffering from an amputated flipper, ligature wounds, and fractures. With steady care and treatments from our team of turtle experts, along with plenty of determination from Zi herself, she made a remarkable recovery!
Before her release, we fitted Zi’s carapace with a ‘Wildlife Computers’ satellite tag, giving us a window into her journey ahead. Telemetry is a vital tool in tracking the survival of rehabilitated sea turtles and understanding the mysterious migration patterns of oceanic species like the olive ridley. Every datapoint helps us protect them better, ensuring future generations can thrive in the waters they call home.
Here’s to smooth seas, safe travels, and a new chapter for Zi. May she carry our hopes as far as the currents will take her.
Waving a fond goodbye to our rescue turtle, Zi, fixed with a satellite tag… Safe travels and bon voyage!
Maldivian Sea Turtle Identification Program
Our ID project is currently on hold as we have been busy with record numbers of rescued turtle patients.
REEFSCAPERS Coral Propagation & Reef Restoration in the Maldives
At Kuda Huraa during August, our coral experts monitored (cleaned, repaired, photographed) a total of 45 growing coral frames, and transplanted 8 new frames, kindly sponsored by guests (6), the Resort (2), and online (0).
At Landaa this month, we monitored 230 existing frames (mainly at the Whale tail and Dive sites), and transplanted 23 new coral frames, kindly sponsored by guests (7), the Resort (16), and online (0). In total, we added ~880 new coral fragments to our reefs at divers’ favourite “The Plankton,” a site near Charlie’s Head. A new project was also launched to place Four Seasons frames around the water villas, where they can be viewed directly from the villas (map, below).
To see the progress of your own frame, please visit our dedicated Reefscapers Four Seasons monitoring page where we upload new photos every 6 months or so.
All our coral frames are geo-mapped
Wild Montipora digitata flourishes in The Channel, Kuda Huraa
Be sure to read our complete Team Four Seasons Diaries over on our Reefscapers website, and then browse our Global Research pages where we curate the latest marine science research (open access) alongside news on how the oceans are being changed by climate change.
Further News & Updates
You might also be interested in:
– our ongoing Dolphin ID Project, our specialised Sea Turtle Lagoon Enclosure, and our Zooplankton Monitoring Project.
Looking for details of our Reefscapers coral propagation and reef restoration program ? Then head over to our Reefscapers Diaries for all the latest updates.
You can sponsor your own frame and see photographs (updated every 6 months) in our Coral Frame Collection.
Junior Marine Savers activities: (1) Reefscapers corals, (2) turtle care.
