Welcome to Marine Research Centre, Maldives

Marine Research Centre was estalished during 1984. Initially housed in a rented house, the Centre was moved to the current location of H. White Waves, Moonlight Higun in 1987. A total of 25 marine sites are protected and only diving and bait fishing are allowed in these sites. Nearly 170 species of birds have been recorded in the Maldives. The most recent estimates of the total land area of the Maldives is 227 sq km Several marine species including, napoleon wrasse, dolphins, turtles, whales, black corals and triton shells are protected from exploitation and many other marine species are prohibited to be exported. Did you know that Marine Research Centre's Marine Museum has the most complete skeleton of Longman's Beaked Whale until very recently. Visit the Marine Museum to learn more about whale and dolphins in Maldivian waters. Out of the 583 species of plants recorded in the Maldives, 260 are believed to be native and 323 are cultivated plants introduced for agricultural and ornamental purposes. There are at least 1090 recorded species of fish in the Maldivian waters. One species of fish blenny, Ecsenius minutus has been only recorded from Maldives. 23 bird species are protected out of which 17 are sea birds. Mollusks and crustaceans have been poorly studied in the Maldives, yet, there are 400 species of mollusks and 350 species of crustaceans recorded in the Maldives. A total of 187 coral species have been recorded in the Maldives.

Rewards for recoveries of tagged tuna (in Divehi)

Link for the Cetacean Symposium to be held in Maldives in July 2009, in Sun Island Resort and Spa, Ari Atoll

	Career Opportunities - 2008 If you are looking for a career in biological science, then MRC is the place for you. For students who are leaving Centre for Higher Secondary Education, you may want to speak to our programme heads.. more>>
	Grouper Culture Pilot Project MRC is conducting grouper rearing experiments in Bodumohoraa Field Station. Brood stock of marble grouper kept in floating cages. Grouper ready for spawning are taken to tanks in the hatchery where they are naturally spawned. more>>
	Tuna Tagging FAQ The most important coastal tuna fishery in the Indian Ocean is the Maldivian livebait pole-and-line tuna fishery. The fishery catches over 150,000 MT of tuna a year more>>
	FAD Research in the Maldives FADs, wheather anchored or drifting may be used as an observing platform to study the biodiversity of pelagic ecosystems. MRC is collaboarting with French scientists to study fish aggregations around the anchored FADs in the Maldives. more>>
	Algal Bloom in Baa Atoll MRC is investigating an algal bloom in Baa. Atoll. The discoloration of water observed on 25 May turns out to be bloom of cyanobacteria, Trichodesmium erythraeum more>>