Gili Lankanfushi Expands Seagrass Conservation Initiatives

Gili Lankanfushi, in the Maldives, boasts an extensive seagrass preservation initiative to protect the “lungs of the sea.” Committed to sustainability and conservation, the resort was recently recognized at the Maldives’ Seagrass Industry Leaders Circle launch event.

“Here at Gili Lankanfushi, we remain fully committed to preserving our marine ecosystems,” said Renald Yude, resident marine biologist and sustainability manager, Gili Lankanfushi. “Seagrass plays a vital role in carbon capture, supporting biodiversity, and strengthening coastal resilience. We firmly believe that we must all play our part to protect and restore this critical habitat – that’s why we’ve now pledged to conserve 1,250m² of seagrass within our resort lagoon, representing over 80% of the total seagrass cover.”

© Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

Seagrass meadows play a crucial role in the local ecosystem, from carbon sequestration (seagrass meadows capture and store carbon dioxide up to 35 times more efficiently than tropical rainforests) to creating biodiversity hot spots (these areas serve as nurseries and safe habitats for marine species such as turtles, rays, seahorses and juvenile reef fish). The plants’ root systems protect the coast, stabilizing sediments and preventing beach erosion.

Yude and his team regularly monitor the health and growth of the lagoon’s seagrass using standardized quadrat-based surveys. Their monitoring includes canopy height, to assess light exposure and growth; algal cover, to detect competition and potential; sediment type, to understand the seabed structure and changes; species composition, to document biodiversity and meadow health; and wildlife sightings, including fish, invertebrates and migratory species that depend on seagrass beds for shelter and food.

© Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

At the Seagrass Industry Leaders Circle launch event in July, Gili Lankanfushi announced its official pledge to conserve 1,250 m² of seagrass within its resort lagoon — a bold commitment that represents more than 80 percent of the total seagrass cover in the area.

The island’s dedicated marine biology team heads up conservation efforts, monitoring the health and biodiversity of the surrounding coral reef ecosystems, measuring light intensity and sea surface temperature, identifying and tracking manta ray and turtle populations, removing invasive Crown of Thorns starfish, and educating guests about the underwater world.

Coral Lines project provides a nursery environment for new corals to grow, bolstering the house reef and monitoring health and survival types across coral genotypes. Guests have the opportunity to participate in the famed conservation project. Many other sustainability initiatives are regularly underway at the resort.