Gili Lankanfushi is gearing up for the opening of its long awaited Marine Biology Centre, with a new marine biologist joining the island resort.

In an announcement, Gili Lankanfushi said Saturday that after three years of dedicated work, its resident Marine Biologist and Environmental Officer Deborah Burn was moving onto live and work in New Zealand. Her assistant Josie Chandler is also leaving next week after two years of service, it added.

Gili Lankanfushi praised the work of both Deborah and Josie.

About Deborah, the resort said, “She has set a fantastic example of how to run a marine program by combining her passion and knowledge of marine conservation to create lasting connections with local and global marine organisations. She also raised the bar on the guest excursions and the experimental science carried out at the resort.”

About Josie, the resort said, “Josie was responsible for creating and delivering the sustainability training to almost the entire 300 hosts and also co-managed the coral lines project. Josie is leaving in search of her next piece of paradise and currently plans to spend the end of the year underwater in a remote, tropical location.”

“The hard work put in by these marine biologists and sustainability educators has ensured that everyone at the resort knows more about how their day to day habits affect the environment around them. Since receiving proper training, the energy consumption, water use and waste management has been considerably reduced in host areas.”

Gili Lankanfushi said the successful projects instigated by Deborah and Josie will be taken over by its new Marine Biologist and Environmental Officer Clare Baranowski, who will start her term by opening the long awaited Marine Biology Centre on World Oceans Day, which falls on June 8.

According to the resort, Clare is extremely excited to be there and aims to build the marine biology team to include both an international and Maldivian marine biologist.

“I am looking forward to continuing the great work of Debs, Josie and Vaidas. I am hoping to incorporate some long term goals of my own working with hosts and local communities,” she was quoted as saying in the announcement.

Set on the private island of Lankanfushi in the North Male Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is an intimate coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villa accommodations, where ultimate privacy can be found. This luxury resort is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport.

At Gili Lankanfushi, an idyllic personal hideaway is one of 45 spacious, rustic overwater villas crafted from natural wood and glass. A palette of sparkling blues paints the horizon, the ocean stretching to infinity wherever on the island. The open design, with indoor and outdoor living space, allows guests the freedom to be themselves, the sound of the sea and warm breeze soothing all senses.