Fathimath Hana Amir, a leading Maldivian marine biologist specializing in coral reef research, conducted a special session for students at the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) at the Maldives National University (MNU), sharing her expertise on coral reef monitoring and restoration.

Hana Amir brings extensive experience to the session, having served as a Marine Biologist at the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI), where she led both the National Coral Reef Monitoring Programme and the National Coral Reef Restoration Programme. During her tenure at MMRI, she was instrumental in assessing the status of Maldivian reefs from the northern to southern atolls through collaborative projects. Her field research spans multiple locations including Palmyra Atoll and the Red Sea, where she sampled corals from different reef habitats to determine how resource availability affects coral nutritional strategies.

During the session, students gained valuable insight into the practical aspects of coral reef monitoring, including standardized data collection methods, the importance of long-term monitoring programmes, and the challenges facing Maldivian reefs. The session highlighted how emerging research on coral trophic strategies can inform management and restoration efforts.

The special session reflects CFOS’s commitment to providing students with exposure to cutting-edge research and real-world applications in marine science. By connecting students with leading researchers like Fathimath Hana Amir, the college aims to inspire the next generation of Maldivian marine scientists and strengthen the country’s capacity for coral reef conservation.