Save Our Seagrass! Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives, Expands Latest Seagrass Conservation Initiatives
Gili Lankanfushi, the pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives, is proud to share details of the island’s seagrass preservation initiative. These efforts to protect the ‘lungs of the sea’ are an integral part of Gili’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and conservation and were recently recognised at the Maldives’ prestigious Seagrass Industry Leaders Circle launch event, where the island shared an official conservation pledge.
“Here at Gili Lankanfushi, we remain fully committed to preserving our marine ecosystems,” commented Gili’s resident Marine Biologist and Sustainability Manager, Renald Yude. “Seagrass plays a vital role in carbon capture, supporting biodiversity, and strengthening coastal resilience. We firmly believe that we must all play our part to protect and restore this critical habitat – that’s why we’ve now pledged to conserve 1,250m2 of seagrass within our resort lagoon, representing over 80% of the total seagrass cover.”
Seagrass Conservation at Gili Lankanfushi
Gili Lankanfushi is an industry leader when it comes to seagrass conservation in the Maldives. The island’s marine biologists recognise the crucial role played by seagrass meadows in the local ecosystem, from carbon sequestration (seagrass meadows capture and store carbon dioxide up to 35 times more efficiently than tropical rainforests) to creating biodiversity hotspots (these areas serve as nurseries and safe habitats for marine species such as turtles, rays, seahorses, and juvenile reef fish). In addition, the plants’ root systems are integral for coastal protection, stabilising sediments and preventing beach erosion, protecting both the reef and the shoreline.
Led by resident Marine Biologist and Sustainability Manager Renald Yude, the team at Gili regularly monitors the health and growth of the lagoon’s seagrass using standardised quadrat-based surveys, ensuring a data-driven approach to conservation. Monitoring includes:
- Canopy height, to assess light exposure and growth
- Algal cover, to detect competition and potential
- Sediment type, to understand the seabed structure and changes
- Species composition, to document biodiversity and meadow health
- Wildlife sightings, including fish, invertebrates, and migratory species that depend on seagrass beds for shelter and food
Sustainability at Gili Lankanfushi
Sustainability is at the heart of Gili Lankanfushi’s vision, with an emphasis on preserving the natural environment, protecting the fragile marine ecosystem and leaving only footprints behind. Conservation is taken seriously by the island’s dedicated marine biology team who monitor the health and biodiversity of the surrounding coral reef ecosystems, measuring light intensity and sea surface temperature, identifying and tracking manta ray and turtle populations, removing invasive Crown of Thorns starfish, and educating guests about the underwater world through lectures and guided snorkelling trips.
Gili Lankanfushi’s Coral Lines project provides a nursery environment for new corals to grow, bolstering the house reef and monitoring health and survival types across coral genotypes. Guests have the opportunity to participate in the famed conservation project, where they can learn about coral reef restoration and rehabilitation, visit the nursing coral on ropes and even adopt a coral.
All buildings at Gili are constructed using sustainably sourced plantation teak, palm wood and bamboo, in addition to recycled telegraph poles. All rooms provide organic toiletries in refillable earthenware containers, to minimise plastic use and wastage, while the island’s dedicated desalinisation plant is used to provide glass bottles of still and sparkling water for all guests.
Further sustainability initiatives include:
- Working hand-in-hand with the Manta Trust to protect Manta Rays, and the Olive Ridley Project to rescue injured sea turtles.
- Reducing plastic usage whenever possible with recycling initiatives to rid the oceans of single-use plastics from neighbouring islands.
- Using sustainable methods for all fish caught and purchased from local islands.
- Providing sustainable Living Training for all staff.
Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé airport. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery with a laid-back-luxury, 'no news, no shoes' philosophy.
