President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih knows no maps exist of Maldivian waters beneath 30 metres – but that is changing by the hour, thanks to the international Nekton Mission’s Maldives Knowledge Exchange Expedition.
The wider five-week expedition is currently being held in Laamu atoll. The first dive was held on Sunday, followed by the second dive on Monday.
President Solih has paid a surprise visit to offer support to ocean scientists in their quest to find answers that can help unlock the secrets of the deep. 
Four Maldivian aquanauts, who met President Solih on board, have journeyed to 500 metres below the surface in the past two days. 
During the visit, President observed the data collected during the dives. These datas are being analysed by the Nekton marine biologists and mapping experts.
President Solih was accompanied by Fisheries Minister Hussain Rasheed Hassan and Environment Minister Aminath Shauna. The ministers explained how critical Nekton’s work is for the nation’s understanding of what lives in the deep ocean. 
Nekton has pledged all data and samples gathered on the expedition remain the property of the Maldives Government.