My journey into marine conservation began following a very fortunate visit to the Maldives at a young age – an experience which sparked my passion for the ocean and set me on the path to becoming a marine conservationist. That early spark led me to pursue a degree in Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom.
During my undergraduate studies, I had the privilege of working alongside the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme, to better understand the impacts of tourism on the local population of whale sharks. In 2021, I volunteered with the programme and quickly fell in love with these gentle giants. It became clear that I had discovered a newfound passion – one that inspired me to dedicate my career to understanding and protecting this extraordinary species. My collaboration with MWSRP deepened during my master’s degree in Marine Biology and laid the foundation for my career in conservation.
After completing my studies, I worked for the Marine Conservation Society in the Seychelles as the Whale Shark Programme Lead, where I also earned my Divemaster certification.
