Community & CSR

A Science-Led Mission Founded in 2013 by Dr Martin Stelfox, who was working as a Marine Biologist in the Maldives at the time, the Olive Ridley Project is a science-led conservation charity dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their habitats across the Indian Ocean and beyond. What began in the Maldives as a response to olive ridley turtles entangled in ghost nets has grown into an international organisation working across rescue, conservation medicine, research, and educational outreach. Through sea turtle rescue and care  centres, clinical and health studies, as well as  community outreach, ORP applies a holistic “One Health” approach to its work: recognising that the wellbeing of sea turtles, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities are deeply interconnected.  Since 2021, Oevaali Art Shop has proudly partnered with ORP, supporting their work to rescue, provide clinical care, and protect sea turtles across the oceans we call home.  Clinical Care in the Maldives Since its founding, ORP’s Marine Turtle Rescue Centre (MTRC) in the Maldives has treated more than 268 injured and sick sea turtles, with over 155 released after providing clinical care: an excellent outcome in wildlife medicine. Established in 2017 as the country’s first fully equipped, veterinary surgeon-led sea turtle rescue centre, MTRC pioneered dedicated clinical care for turtles in the Maldives.  Over the years, the centre has welcomed 10 veterinarians, 2 nurses, 27 veterinary trainees from 12 countries, 24 interns, and 345 volunteers. Through its satellite tagging programme, seven olive ridley turtles have been tracked to better understand their movements and long-term survival in the Indian Ocean. From Rescue to Release Gus: Recovery After Entanglement In May 2022, Gus - a juvenile green sea turtle - was rescued after severe ghost net entanglement in South Ari Atoll. Weak and dehydrated, he required amputation of his left front flipper. After six months of clinical care at MTRC, he was released in December 2022.  Just two months later, Gus was re-spotted in the seagrass meadows of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu. Identified through Photo-ID by his distinctive injury (missing flipper) and unique facial scale pattern, he appeared strong and cautious.  Zeliya: A Milestone in Conservation Medicine Zeliya, a sub-adult olive ridley rescued in April 2023 with catastrophic ghost net injuries, marked a milestone in sea turtle medicine. In an attempt to give Zeliya a second shot at swimming free in the ocean, ORP’s team implemented its Limb Salvaging Protocol: combining platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, laser treatment, acupuncture, and advanced wound care to preserve limb function.  Zeliya became the first olive ridley in the world to successfully receive PRP therapy. After nearly ten months of intensive care, she was released at dawn in February 2024 from the shores of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.  Shara: Tracking the Ocean Shara’s case demonstrates how clinical care advances research. Rescued in January 2023 with pneumonia, plastic ingestion, and buoyancy syndrome that left her unable to dive, she recovered after five months of treatment and was released fitted with a satellite tag under ORP’s #ORPTrack programme. Over 230 days, Shara travelled approximately 6,300 kilometres across the Indian Ocean, diving as deep as 300 metres. Her data is helping researchers identify critical habitats and inform stronger conservation strategies for olive ridleys across the region.  A Shared Ethos As a studio shaped by island life, we recognise that cultural expression and ecological stewardship are inseparable. ORP’s science-led approach of integrating rescue and research reflects a sustained commitment to marine health in the oceans we inhabit and draw from. It is a privilege to support this work and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of ORP’s leadership across the Indian Ocean and beyond.      A Commitment in Form: The Turtle Pendant in Silver + Sapphire In support of the organization, we donate 5% of your purchases of the Turtle Silver + Sapphire Pendant to the Olive Ridley Project and their pioneering work for our oceans.      This article is informed by publicly available research, reports, and communications from The Olive Ridley Project.

At Oevaali Art Shop, the ocean is not just inspiration, it is responsibility. Since 2019, we have proudly supported The Manta Trust, a global charity dedicated to the protection of manta and devil rays. Today, we are honoured to share extraordinary news from their work: news that marks a historic shift for marine conservation worldwide. A Global Win for Mantas and Devil Rays In 2025, the international commercial trade of all manta and devil ray species was officially banned following a landmark uplisting vote at CITES CoP20. This decision represents years of tireless effort by scientists, policymakers, affiliates, and collaborators working behind the scenes to protect some of the ocean’s most vulnerable giants. Central to this achievement was The Manta Trust’s Global Population Declines study, alongside more than a dozen new peer-reviewed papers published this year and added to their Research Portal. These findings provided critical evidence that helped shape global policy and drive real change. Recognising the Urgency Further underscoring the severity of the threat, three oceanic devil ray species were reclassified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This stark designation is a call to action, and one that the conservation community has answered with resolve. From Policy to Protection With trade bans now in place, the focus turns to what matters most: ensuring legislation translates into meaningful action on the water. Enforcement, international cooperation, and continued research will be vital to helping manta and devil ray populations recover from the brink of extinction. Celebrating Two Decades of Conservation in the Maldives Looking ahead to 2026, The Manta Trust will mark 20 years since Guy Stevens co-founded the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme, their flagship initiative and one of the world’s longest-running manta research projects. The programme’s impact in the Maldives stands as a powerful example of what sustained, place-based conservation can achieve. A Hopeful Horizon With the High Seas Treaty coming into force in the coming weeks, there is renewed optimism that we are entering a turning point for ocean protection. For mantas and devil rays, ancient, graceful, and essential to marine ecosystems,  this moment matters. Why It Matters to Us At Oevaali Art Shop, our partnership with The Manta Trust reflects our belief that creativity and conservation are deeply connected. Every story told, every object crafted, and every collaboration supported is part of a wider commitment to safeguarding the natural world that shapes us. Thank you for standing with us, and with The Manta Trust, as we work towards a future where mantas and devil rays can thrive, not just survive. #SaveTheMantas A Commitment in Form: The Manta Ray Pendant in Silver + Sapphire In support of the organization, we donate 5% of your purchases of the Manta Ray Silver + Sapphire Pendant to the Manta Trust and their pioneering work for our oceans. This article is informed by publicly available research, reports, and communications from The Manta Trust, alongside insights shared by Bex Carter, Director of Conservation Programmes.