Our Latest Articles

From Ghost Nets to Good Nets – Creating Value Out of Waste

ORP has removed tons of ghost gear from areas near Karachi and the fishing village of Abdul Rehman Goth. But now we have a new problem: What to do with 4 tons of ghost nets? Thanks to some creative thinking and innovative collaborations, we are now putting ghost nets to good use in various and surprising fields.

A rare white turtle, Maldives

A Miracle of Nature: Cloud, the Rare White Turtle

We had a very special arrival recently, an incredibly rare white sea turtle. Cloud is a green sea turtle with a genetic condition called Leucism. Leucism is a condition where animals have reduced pigmentation, but different from albinism, as albino animals have a complete loss of pigmentation.

Monster ghost net with a deck chair, stairs and a tree trunk entangled, North Male Atoll, Maldives

Monster Ghost Net Found In North Male

The North-East monsoon season in Maldives is peak season for ghost nets drifting into to Maldives, and along with them, entangled marine life. The team at One & Only Reethi Rah recently removed a monster ghost net in North Male Atoll, estimated to weigh between 200 and 300 kg.

Ghost net removed from Jadini Reef Kenya

Ghost Gear Impact In Kenya

As the Olive Ridley Project starts its work in Kenya, we are eager to know what are the current ghost gear impact on local marine life. With a daily presence on the diving boats of Diving the Crab Dive Centre, one of our partners in Diani beach, our team is recording and, when possible, participating in removing all visible ghost gear on the local reef.

MUI team member monitoring sea grass levels Laamu atoll Maldives. Underwater photo

Maldives Underwater Initiative – Uniting To Save The Ocean

Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) is a partnership of NGOs and Six Senses Laamu Resort consolidating our research, science communication and community outreach work to conserve marine life in Laamu Atoll. ORP and MUI aim to make Laamu Atoll a safer place for sea turtles.

Hawksbill turtle resting on the bottom of the sea, Maldives. Photo.

Why Are Hawksbill Turtles Critically Endangered?

Hawksbill turtles are currently classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Prized for their beauty and wanted for their eggs and meat, they have been hunted for thousands of years. Today they are also at risk from by-catch, ghost fishing, coastal development and climate change, among other threats.

Sea turtle vet Claire swimming with turtle patient Penny in the sea

Life As a Sea Turtle Vet

What is life like as a Sea Turtle Vet on a remote island in the Indian Ocean? Dr Claire Lomas BVM&S MRCVS is ORP’s Sea Turtle Veterinarian in residence at the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll. She reveals the highlights and challenges of life as a Sea Turtle Vet.

Andy Torbet, Olive Ridley Project Ambassador

Andy Torbet Joins the ORP Team as an Ambassador

Andy Torbet is an ex-Bomb Disposal Officer, Paratrooper and Army Diver turned professional underwater explorer, deep- and cave-diver, skydiver and wingsuit pilot, climber and TV Presenter. We are excited to welcome him as our new ambassador.

Hawksbill turtle on the reef in Haa Alif Atoll Maldives

Sea Turtle Research Expedition Maldives

Olive Ridley Project’s second sea turtle research expedition to Haa Alif Atoll was another great success. Three volunteers joined the ORP team and expedition leader Nina Rothe for the month long adventure. Here is Nina’s update from the field.