Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has backed a new community-driven initiative to raise awareness of threats facing sea turtles in the Maldives, commending the leadership of resort managers spearheading the effort.

The campaign is being led by Muiz Mohamed, Resort Manager at Cora Cora Maldives, and Justin Swart, General Manager of The Standard Maldives. Known as the “Reconnecting Duo”, the pair will attempt a 58-kilometre stand-up paddle challenge to highlight dangers to sea turtles, including ghost nets, poaching, and plastic pollution.

The event is being run in partnership with the Atoll Marine Centre and linked to the Lhaviyani Turtle Festival, which has become the country’s largest marine outreach programme outside Malé. The festival now draws over 3,000 participants each year, with a focus on educating school students and encouraging young people to take part in conservation.

VMC noted that such initiatives support the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured turtles, while drawing wider attention to the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems. The corporation also underlined the role of the tourism industry in backing community-led environmental projects and promoting sustainability.