Coco Collection Partners with Olive Ridley Project to set up Turtle Rescue Centres

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] Coco Collection announced an official partnership with the Olive Ridley Project to set up turtle rescue centres during a ceremony at the Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu on January 18.

“This partnership will see the construction of the first Olive Ridley Project Turtle Rescue Center at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu with a dedicated team member of the Project at the Center to oversee the operations,” Coco Collection explained in a press release.

“Guests of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu will be able to support the project and donate funds for the construction of this Center by purchasing a signature Olive Ridley Turtle toy available for USD 28, or by direct donations either at time of booking or on the resort.”

Proceeds from the sale would be used for the construction phase of the centre, the press release added. “Keeping in line with its brand promise to care for the environment and recognize the need for sustainability,Coco Collection is proud to enrich their support for the Olive Ridley Project with this partnership,” it stated.

Coco Collection, a subsidiary of Sunland Hotels, is a prestigious hotel group operating in the Maldives whilst the Oliver Ridley Group is comprised of marine biologists working in the Maldives.

“Apart from actively removing nets and helping any entangled marine life, the Olive Ridley Project compiles data identifying types of nets, fishing methods being used, and entanglements in order to figure out why so many nets are drifting in the Indian Ocean,” the press release explained.

Martin Stelfox, Founder and Chief Executive of the Olive Ridley Project, Dr. Jillian Amy Hudgins, Project Scientist of the Olive Ridley Project, and Chiara Fumagalli, Coco Collection’s Resident Marine Biologist, attended the launching ceremony.

Once the turtle rescue centre is established, Coco Collections noted that “educational presentations, tailored snorkelling sessions and ghost net research excursions” would be offered to guests at the resort.

Coco Collection plans to undertake similar initiatives at the Coco Bodu Hithi during latter stages of the collaboration.

“Since its establishment in 2013, the Olive Ridley Project has been working actively with dedicated individuals who are keen to support the project by removing ghost nets that have been abandoned or lost in the ocean, continuing to entangle vulnerable marine animals,” said Martin Stelfox, Founder and Chief Executive of the Olive Ridley Project.

“Coco Collection has been on board with us from the beginning and today, we are extremely happy to sign this partnership, declaring Coco Collection as the official Olive Ridley Project Partner for Turtle Rescue Centers in Maldives. This is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership and I would like to thank all the guests and associates of Coco Collection for their continuous support and passion.”

Dr. Jillian Amy Hudgins accompanied Martin at Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, where they joined Chiara Fumagalli for interactive guest presentations and excursions. The pair conducted training sessions on how to safely remove ghost nets from entangled marine life.

“I am beyond excited that Coco Collection is now an official partner of the Olive Ridley Project! With the continuous support of our eager guests and hardworking associates, this is a great opportunity for us to get more exposure for the detrimental effects of ghost nets on marine life and continue raising awareness to actively fight against it,” said Chiara Fumagalli, Coco Collection’s resident Marine Biologist.

“We have received tremendous support from both guests and associates who have donated to the cause by purchasing the turtle toys and I am positively looking forward for the next step in this journey.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]