Distilling an Ocean of Data: A Compliance Tool to Inform Marine Protected Area Management 

The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) collects spatial, biological, oceanographic, and anthropogenic data on whale sharks in the South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area (SAMPA). There is a need to develop GIS capabilities within the organization in order to further explore, visualize, and analyze data, create 2D maps, and share their findings in a more effective and efficient manner. This need is all the more important in the present time due to the push for better management of SAMPA. In my capstone, I aim to build the GIS capacity at MWSRP by creating a visualization and mapping tool to help create the communication material to contribute to the planning process for better management of SAMPA and to ensure the best conservation measures are taken for the protection of the whale sharks