The Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI) has been at the heart of the nation’s marine science journey for over 40 years. The Maldives Marine Research Institute was established by the Government of the Maldives on 24 July 1984 as the Marine Research Centre, under the Ministry of Fisheries, serving as the nation’s primary marine research body. In 2019, it was formally re-established as the Maldives Marine Research Institute.

For over four decades, the Institute has been at the forefront of marine science in the Maldives, pioneering numerous research programs. In its early years, efforts focused on building core research initiatives to understand fisheries dynamics and strengthen the nation’s role in regional fisheries management, expanding from tuna to reef fish resources. These studies have significantly contributed to sustainable fisheries management in the country. 

The Maldives Marine Research Institute is mandated with the responsibility of providing technical advice, through conducting science-based research on issues relating to the marine resource management of the Maldives.

This includes: 

• • Collect scientific data and conduct research aimed at rational utilization of the country’s ocean resources in mariculture and fisheries. This includes gaining insights into marine ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them.
  • Catalogue and establish a collection of specimens of living marine resources of the Maldives.
  • Assess and report the ecological changes to the marine environment that have significance to the health and well-being and provision of ecosystem goods and services to mariculture and fisheries sector.
  • Identify and study the ecology and biology of threatened, endangered and ecologically important species, and provide advice on their conservation, preservation and sustainable use.
  • Carry out focused research on the different fisheries activities, to identify the optimum levels for the long-term sustainability of the fisheries resources.
  • Provide science-informed and ecosystem-based management advice for formulating policies on the sustainable development and utilization of marine resources.
  • Research on the different aspects of developing a mariculture industry, including identification of potential species for culture, technology development and its adoption and transfer to the public.
  • Assess of ecological changes to the coral reef ecosystems and provide advice for conservation efforts.
  • Provide scientific information and advice to the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources to develop and increase the income generated from Fisheries and mariculture sector.
  • Engage with international organizations and conventions relating to fisheries, mariculture and marine resource management to promote science and provide relevant information.
  • Create public awareness on the scientific data collected by MMRI and the protocols that are followed to collect data by the public.
  • Educate the public on preserving the marine environment and sustainable utilization of the nation’s marine resources
  • Provide training on technical skills and expertise in fisheries and mariculture.
  • Maintain records of marine scientific research being undertaken in Maldivian waters and establish and maintain a database of the various data and information resulting from such research.