The Maldives and its 1200 islands are very much concerned by climate change: more than 80% of our land is less than one metre above sea level. Global warming and rising seas are therefore a crucial issue. Of course, the 2004 tsunami has made us more aware, because of the human casualties and also the damage to infrastructures, particularly harbours, quays and breakwaters. As a result, we have taken action to cope with the situation.
The Marine Research Centre is dedicated to undertaking research on understanding marine resources and their environment. In 2007, we studied a record kill of fi sh, in particular trigger fish. We thought that it was related to poor oxygen levels in the incoming water or to a harmful algal bloom. Samples sent to the US, Italy and Australia revealed the presence of a waterborne species of bacteria, Streptococcus iniae, that can proliferate due to changes in environmental conditions. The same year, hundreds of thousands of fi sh died in the harbours. We didn't fi nd the exact causal relationships, but this event took place at a period of change in temperature, current and of poor oxygenation. And last May we had an algal bloom in Baa Atoll. Investigations showed the presence of a cyanobacteria, Trichodesmium erythraeum. Why these blooms occur is not fully understood, but they occur during the intermonsoonal periods where little wind-stress is observed.
Climat change will damage coral reefs which are already suffering from bleaching. So we have to rationalize their utilisation. For example, as fisheries depend on live bait taken from coral reefs, we may have to look for alternative methods and habitats to catch bait. The most important thing of all would be to know how the tuna populations are going to respond to climate change.
Nobody knows precisely if they will move away from our shores due to climate change.
We are undertaking research on open ocean biodiversity and working with foreign partners such as the Frenc IRD and the French Institute of Biodiversity. Concerning daily life, our government is undertaking careful planning for the future, with the New island concept of a safer island with more space from the beach to the village and higher elevation of the land to protect our people in case of sea-level rise.
We have to live with a changing marine environment.
For the Maldives, the challenge has been the lack of human and fi nancial resources. Overseas funding would certainly be helpful for us.
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