People
SHAHA HASHIM
Shaha is the Chairperson of Maldives Resilient Reefs and the Maldives Programme Manager of Blue Marine Foundation. She has done considerable work in supporting the creation of new MPAs, promoting sustainable coral reef fisheries and tourism and engaging other Maldivians in marine conservation. She spearheaded campaigns like #protectmaldivesseagrass, #fishfortomorrow and #saveoursharks.
Jude Brown
After starting diving at 14, Jude has always had a passion for life in our oceans. Working overseas for 20 years in commercial fisheries, sustainable aquaculture and marine protected area management she joined Blue Marine in 2021. She has been involved in the creation of three large MPAs, co-authored over 30 scientific papers and written two marine life guidebooks. Her work for Blue Marine focuses on international projects, including the Maldives.
Jake Edmiston
Jake is the Projects Researcher for Blue Marine Foundation. Jake joined the team in 2021 as Resort Fisheries and Research Coordinator for the Laamaseelu Masveriyaa Programme at Six Senses. In 2022, he moved to London and became a staff of Blue Marine Foundation overseeing the rollout of the programme to other resorts in the Maldives. Jake studied the impacts of climate change on coral reef fish population dynamics on the Great Barrier Reef and investigated the effectiveness of parrotfish fisheries management in the Caribbean. He is passionate about the importance of community-based conservation and is excited to be working on the inspiring reef fisheries sustainability projects here in Laamu.
Mohamed Tholal
Tholal is Laamu Hithadhoo’s Environment Officer who is seconded to Hithadhoo Island Council to support the implementation and management of the Laamu Hithadhoo Baaneykolhu Conservation Area. After completing his A’ Levels in 2021, Tholal worked on a tuna fishing boat, which gave him a fresh perspective on the reefs surrounding the islands. Tholal has a Diploma in Finance and Accounting from Villa College.
Aishath Mufliha Ziyadh
Muf is the Projects Coordinator for Seagrass and Mangroves. She focuses on developing and implementing seagrass and mangrove conservation projects, as well as the Masmahaaveshi e-learning hub. Muf joined the team in 2023, supporting research and outreach for the South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH) project. She is passionate about marine conservation and excited to lead impactful projects in Laamu Atoll.
Jenny Baker
Jenny is the Laamu Project Manager for Blue Marine Foundation based in Six Senses Laamu.. She grew up by the North Sea on the Suffolk coast in the UK and has always enjoyed being by the sea and in it, swimming, snorkeling or diving. She worked in international tourism and hospitality for over a decade before pursuing her career in marine conservation. Jenny has a M.Sc in tropical marine biology and is a PADI divemaster.
Executive Committee Members
Dr Ahmed Riyaz Jauharee
Riyaz worked at the Education Ministry for 17 years where he wrote the Maldives Fisheries Science Curriculum that continues to be taught nationwide. Since joining Maldives Marine Research Institute in 2008, he leads pelagic research which focuses on the Maldives tuna fishery and the live bait fishery. He has broad experience in working with students and fishers across the Maldives. In addition, he has written several books and contributed to several scientific publications. Riyaz obtained his MSc in Tropical Marine Ecology and Fisheries Biology from James Cook University, Australia and PhD from University of Montpellier, France.
Hudha Ahmed
Hudha has more than 30 years’ experience in the environment management and conservation field. She was the former head of UNDP Maldives’ Energy and Environment Programme. She spent 12 years as Director of Renewable Energy Maldives developing and administering energy efficiency projects as director of one the first private company working on solar PV in Maldives. She is currently focused on raising awareness and working on local solutions to plastic pollution. Hudha obtained a Master of Science in Aquaculture from University of Stirling, Scotland and a PhD in Tropical Fisheries and Marine Ecology from James Cook University of Queensland, Australia.
Vaail Mohamed Zahir Hussain
Vaail is the Chairman and Executive Director of Mihaaru newspaper, Dho! Magazine and Edition. He has extensive experience in the Maldives media landscape, having started his career in the offices of family-owned Haveeru Daily – the longest serving daily newspaper in the Maldives. After completing a degree in Business Administration, he worked in sales and post-press operations at Haveeru Media Group. He went on to manage the Evening Weekly Magazine, the tourism promotion website Maldives.com, launch his own radio station HFM and established the media consultancy Greyscale. Vaail also has experience in culinary arts, project management and information technology.
Ahmed Shafiu
Shafiu is a teacher, fisher and social media influencer from Huvadhoo Atoll Gemanafushi. He is a well-respected figure among the Maldivian fishing community. He is the President of DhiMasverin and he founded the fishing news website, Masverin – an NGO and a news website dedicated to being the voice of Maldivian fishers. Shafiu leads a dive school in his home island training local fishers and guests.
Hassan Hameez
Hassan is a veteran dive instructor with over 25 years of experience in the Maldivian tourism industry. He previously worked as a field officer at the Maldives Marine Research Center where he assisted visiting researchers to conduct fieldwork – including the tuna-tagging programme in the 1990s. He is currently based in Laamu Gan, working as a freelance dive guide and supporting MRR’s projects.