Hamna Hussain Ali Didi
- Project name: The Spot On Project: Community-driven Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark Conservation in the Maldives
- Project site: North and South Malé Atoll , Vaavu Atoll, and Ari Atoll, Maldives
- EDGE species: Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark, Stegostoma tigrinum
- Active: 2025 - ongoing
Biography
Hamna Hussain Ali Didi (Hamty) is the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Miyaru Shark Programme in the Maldives, where she also leads on outreach and education. A certified PADI diving instructor and experienced scientific diver, she has conducted ecological surveys and trained community members in marine conservation across the archipelago.
Hamty is dedicated to protecting the Maldives’ shark populations through inclusive, locally led conservation. Her work with Miyaru includes citizen science initiatives, deep-sea camera deployments, and tissue sampling in collaboration with global partners. She is especially passionate about empowering young women and promoting local ownership in marine research. Through the EDGE Fellowship, Hamty aims to advance her scientific skills, strengthen stakeholder partnerships, and champion the conservation of understudied species like the Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark.
EDGE Project
Hamty envisions a future where Indo-Pacific Leopard Sharks thrive as flagship species in the Maldives, supported by evidence-based research, inclusive conservation, and broad public engagement.
Her EDGE Fellowship project will establish the first national baseline for Indo-Pacific Leopard Sharks in the Maldives, combining ecological surveys, citizen science, and stakeholder collaboration. It will identify key habitats and promote conservation action through local partnerships and awareness campaigns.
*Species photo kindly provided by Brooke Pyke. Copyrights for this image are reserved to the author.
