OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort (MAM)
Inspiring the Next Generation on World Whale Shark Day
BY SANYA SHANTANU SHETE – On August 29 on Lonubo Island we celebrated World Whale Shark Day. The significance of this day lies in celebrating our resident whale sharks and raising awareness about their vital role in marine ecosystems, as well as the urgent need to address their declining populations through conservation efforts. Educating and inspiring younger generations is one of the most impactful ways we can contribute to their preservation for the future.
We at OUTRIGGER Maafushivaru were delighted to welcome the students from Dhangethi School, representing their environment club, for an afternoon of engaging activities designed to deepen their understanding of whale sharks and foster a commitment to marine conservation.
Three main activities:
- Engaging Educational talk by me, our resident Marine Biologist. The aim of this is to not only educate but test the prior knowledge of students, to observe what they know about Whale Shark biology, ecology, and general understanding about their inhabitance in the South Ari Atoll, Maldives. The students received laminated cards with either an image of a body part or a description of the name and function. The kids collaborated to identify each body part and learn more about their function.
- Worksheet and posters. The kids were handed out worksheets to implement the information they were taught. Each kid had the chance to also draw and name their own whale shark, which highlighted each individuals personality and creativity.
- Whale shark sand building competition. The final activity of the day was a competition. The kids split into groups and each built their own whale shark. We encouraged kids to try and be as accurate and creative as possible. The panel of judges rated each shark out of 10 and the top three teams were awarded trophies.
The overall objective of the event was to spark positive change in the students- whether it may be from an environmental, political, or creative perspective for the future. To also inspire students to connect with these creatures and see them beyond their physical presence. The theme throughout the day was that the students all have the power to create, for the sake of our oceans.
We also provided short eats, drinks, and special whale shark themed treats which the kids enjoyed throughout the day.
