The wildlife of the Maldives includes the flora and fauna of the islands, reefs, and the surrounding ocean. Recent scientific studies suggest that the fauna varies greatly between atolls following a north–south gradient, but important differences between neighbouring atolls were also found (especially in terms of sea animals), which may be linked to differences in fishing pressure – including poaching.[1]
- ^ Ducarme, Frédéric (2016). Field observations of sea cucumbers in Ari Atoll, and comparison with two nearby atolls in Maldives (PDF) (Report). Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin. Vol. 36. South Pacific Commission.