UP NORTH EXPEDITION 2024

In January 2024, we set out on a captivating expedition in collaboration with the University of Genova and the University of Bari to investigate the reef systems of Haa Dhaalu and Haa Alifu atolls. This remarkable journey represents a milestone in Maldives research, as these regions have not undergone thorough surveys in over 13 years.

Irene Pancrazi and Hassan (Beybe) Ahmed exhibited extraordinary commitment during the collection of photo quadrats to characterize benthic floor organisms. They also evaluated fish and macro-invertebrate communities, documenting the impacts on the reefs. Simultaneously, Giovanni Chimienti diligently sampled black corals and Gorgonians for species identification and genetic analysis. Furthermore, our esteemed professor, Monica Montefalcone, conducted a comprehensive assessment of the reefs and characterized the benthic floor at different depths while scaping reef profiles for all the dive sites. Their unwavering commitment to scientific rigour and attention to detail proved invaluable in generating a wealth of accurate and reliable data. Their collective efforts have significantly enhanced our understanding of these important reef systems and will undoubtedly contribute to ongoing efforts to protect and preserve them. We are grateful for their expertise and professionalism and look forward to leveraging their findings to address the critical environmental challenges facing these ecologically significant areas.

Our investigation provided valuable insights into the monitored reef systems. Specifically, we observed a prevalence of indicator fish, with a remarkable abundance of large-sized specimens. Across the majority of sites, we noted excellent fish abundance and diversity, encountering all the considered indicator species. Regarding macro-invertebrates, their abundance was lower, particularly in sites characterized by sandy bottoms. However, we had the privilege of witnessing an astonishing abundance of green-fish sea cucumber. This finding holds significant importance, given the organism's vulnerability to overfishing for export, making its presence notably rare in the central atolls nowadays.

Exploring the most secluded regions of the Maldives, we encountered a mere three sharks despite extended dives lasting over an hour each. It became evident that the shark population in our studied sites had not undergone recovery, as only two juvenile and one adult shark were observed. Furthermore, despite diving in zones where locals reported the regular presence of 20 to 30 turtles, we noticed a notable absence of turtles on the reefs we examined. These findings emphasize the need for further investigation into the status of these species in the northern atolls. Overall, our findings serve as a critical call to action to protect and preserve these ecologically significant areas and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Maldives' unique marine ecosystem.

Regarding the substrate, we are delighted to report the rediscovery of a coral species (Millepora spp.) previously deemed extinct in the Maldives following the 1998 bleaching event. Not only was the hydrocoral documented, but its distinctive habitat formation, known as the "Millepora zone," has reemerged, indicating the resurgence of this genus in the northernmost atoll. Further genetic analysis and broader surveys are essential to identify species, characterize the local population, and assess the potential for recovery across the entire archipelago. We also recorded a high cover of massive corals but noticed a limited presence of branching corals, which could indicate changes in coral cover following the 2016 bleaching event. Interestingly, we observed different morphology of Acropora corals that were dead on the reefs, with coral recruits starting to grow on them.