Finolhu, a Seaside Collection resort in the Maldives, has announced the appointment of Harry Green Longin as its Marine Biologist, further strengthening the resort’s focus on marine conservation, environmental stewardship and responsible tourism within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll.
The appointment reflects Finolhu’s continued efforts to integrate environmental protection into the luxury resort experience while contributing to the preservation of one of the Maldives’ most ecologically significant marine regions. Situated in Baa Atoll, an internationally recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort is surrounded by rich coral reef ecosystems and diverse marine life that form an important part of the Maldives’ natural heritage and tourism appeal.
Harry brings considerable experience in marine conservation, environmental sustainability, scuba diving and guest engagement within the luxury hospitality sector. Prior to joining Finolhu, he served as Marine Biologist and Scuba Instructor at The Westin Maldives, where his responsibilities included leading marine education programmes, supporting conservation activities and developing interactive ocean experiences aimed at increasing awareness and appreciation of the Maldives’ marine environment.
At Finolhu, Harry will oversee and support the resort’s expanding marine conservation programme, with particular emphasis on coral reef restoration, sustainability initiatives, marine education and meaningful guest participation. His appointment is expected to further develop the resort’s scientific and educational approach to conservation while strengthening opportunities for guests and team members to become directly involved in protecting the surrounding marine environment.
A major component of Finolhu’s environmental work is its comprehensive coral restoration programme, which has been established to support the protection, recovery and long-term resilience of reefs surrounding the resort. The programme currently includes two underwater coral nurseries containing more than 40 coral trees and over 2,000 coral fragments.
The coral nurseries provide a controlled environment where coral fragments can develop before being transplanted onto natural reef areas. Many of the fragments have been adopted and planted through the participation of Finolhu’s guests and team members, creating an opportunity for visitors to contribute directly to marine conservation while gaining a greater understanding of the ecological importance of healthy coral reefs.
More than 1,500 coral fragments have so far been successfully transplanted from the nurseries back onto the surrounding reefs. The restoration work supports the regeneration of important marine habitats and contributes to efforts to improve reef resilience against environmental pressures affecting coral ecosystems around the world, including increasing ocean temperatures and coral bleaching.
Healthy coral reefs are particularly important to the Maldives, where the marine environment plays a central role in biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, fisheries and the country’s globally recognised tourism industry. Conservation programmes undertaken by resorts such as Finolhu complement the Maldives’ wider emphasis on protecting its natural environment while developing tourism in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Under Harry’s leadership, Finolhu plans to continue expanding its conservation activities by combining practical reef restoration with environmental education and guest participation. Among the experiences available at the resort are its coral adoption programme and Coral Conservation Course, which provide guests with opportunities to learn about coral ecosystems, understand conservation techniques and participate in activities connected to the resort’s ongoing reef restoration work.
The programmes incorporate elements of marine education and citizen science, allowing visitors to gain practical knowledge of coral conservation while making a direct contribution to environmental protection. By incorporating conservation into the guest experience, the resort seeks to encourage greater awareness of the importance of safeguarding the Maldives’ marine ecosystems beyond the duration of a holiday.
Finolhu’s approach also demonstrates the increasingly important role that the Maldives’ tourism sector can play in supporting environmental research, conservation awareness and ecosystem restoration. With resorts operating in close proximity to some of the country’s most valuable coral reefs and marine habitats, sustained cooperation between tourism operators, conservation professionals, local communities and national environmental initiatives can contribute significantly to protecting these resources for future generations.
Located in Baa Atoll, Finolhu offers an island resort experience surrounded by the natural beauty for which the Maldives is internationally renowned. Its location within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve places environmental responsibility at the centre of its operations, providing the resort with both an opportunity and responsibility to contribute to the protection of the marine ecosystems that surround it.
Through continued investment in coral restoration, sustainability initiatives, marine education and professionally led conservation programmes, Finolhu is seeking to ensure that its tourism activities contribute positively to the environment in which it operates. The appointment of Harry Green Longin is expected to reinforce this direction and further strengthen the resort’s capacity to combine luxury hospitality with meaningful environmental action.
The resort’s conservation initiatives also support the Maldives’ broader reputation as a destination where high-quality tourism can coexist with environmental responsibility. As the country continues to strengthen sustainable tourism practices and promote the protection of its internationally significant natural resources, initiatives undertaken across the resort sector remain an important contribution to preserving the marine environment upon which the Maldives’ communities, economy and international tourism profile depend.
Through these efforts, Finolhu aims to create stronger connections between visitors and the natural environment of Baa Atoll while contributing to the long-term protection and regeneration of its coral reefs and marine biodiversity for future generations.
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