Sixth Maldives Marine Science Symposium Concludes Successfully

MALÉ — The Sixth Maldives Marine Science Symposium (MMSS 2026) concluded its two-day run with a closing ceremony celebrating excellence in marine research and honoring top-performing presenters.

The symposium wrapped up by presenting awards to the authors of the top three oral presentations and the top three poster presentations, recognizing the exceptional contributions made by researchers toward the success of this year's event.

Organized biennially by the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI) in partnership with the Maldives National University (MNU), MMSS 2026 featured a robust lineup of 47 research presentations—comprising 32 oral and 15 poster presentations—centered across five core thematic categories:

1. Coral Reefs, Restoration and Climate Change

2. Fisheries, Governance and Society

3. Sea Turtles Ecology, Health and Conservation

4. Sharks, Rays and Other Marine Megafauna

5. Coastal Ecosystems and Seabirds

The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources extended its sincere appreciation to all researchers, participants, partners, and supporters who contributed to the event. Organizers highlighted that the symposium once again served as a premier national platform for knowledge sharing, strengthening inter-institutional collaboration, and advancing evidence-based, sustainable management frameworks for the nation's marine wealth.

As MMSS 2026 draws to a close, organizers and participants expressed enthusiasm for building upon these networks in the years ahead, ensuring that ongoing scientific discoveries continue to guide the stewardship of the Maldivian marine ecosystem.