About us

Conservation through Research and Community Mobilisation

The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) is a UK registered charity that exists to conduct whale shark research and foster community focused conservation initiatives throughout the Maldives and the Indian Ocean.

The MWSRP is based in the Maldives within the new South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area. (Click here for a map of the study area.). This is one of the few sites in the world where whale sharks aggregate year round. From their base the MWSRP work throughout the Maldives and recently have begun consultancy projects in Indonesia and Somaliland. 

A strong research programme has enabled the MWSRP to fufill a much needed consultancy role, providing important information about the status of the whale shark and it's habitat to industry stakeholders and government policy-makers since 2006.

The MWSRP's grass-roots conservation initiatives provide education opportunities and support to local island communities; many of which traditionally hunted the whale shark for its liver oil.     

The Programme  that exists through generous donations from private and corporate donors as well as funding from small research grants. It is a goal of the MWSRP to become a Maldivian-run organisation.

Please explore this site to learn more about the MWSRP and their work

To read our 2009 -2010 annual report please click here