Sanya Shete (she/her) is an aspiring 22-year-old marine conservationist. Born and raised in Singapore—a tiny but mighty island—her childhood was shaped by countless moments spent near the ocean. Now, as a full-time marine biologist based at a resort in the Maldives, and a research assistant for Miyaru, a shark research and conservation organization, she’s turning that childhood fascination into a path for creating real change.
Ever since she was a little girl, it may sound cliché, but there was something that always drew her to the sea. Growing up in Southeast Asia, she was constantly exposed to the ocean, and those moments were always the most memorable of her school years. The idea of working in the sea felt daunting. How is it even possible to build a career out of simply loving the ocean? Like many kids with big dreams, she felt uncertain. However, as time passed, she began to understand that the ocean wasn’t just beautiful—it was also deeply troubled. Learning about the exploitation of marine resources happening right on her doorstep dispelled her fear of failure, leaving her with only one thought: how do we make this right?
She went on to study Conservation Biology and Ecology at the University of Exeter in Penryn, UK. Earning her degree was a significant milestone, but Sanya knew that true understanding could only come from working in the field—or more accurately, back in the water. She decided to dive headfirst (pun intended) into the world of sustainable tourism and marine conservation, applying to sustainable resorts around the globe. She secured an internship in the Maldives, where she was introduced to a whole new world of conservation, including the groundbreaking and novel coral restoration technique called micro-fragmentation. During her time there, she attended the inaugural Maldives Ocean Alliance. Picture being in a room filled with brilliant researchers, passionate activists, and extraordinary storytellers, all sharing the same goal: to protect the ocean. This pivotal moment cemented her commitment to marine conservation. The ocean wasn’t just a vast body of water anymore—it was a living, breathing entity filled with interconnected ecosystems, cultures, and challenges.
Since then, her life has been a whirlwind of opportunities. She connected with Miyaru members and, since January 2024, has been a full-time member of the organization. Some of her incredible achievements at Miyaru include assisting with the data analysis of a deep-sea exploration—the deepest ever conducted in the Maldives—in collaboration with NatGeo. Additionally, her work at the resort has allowed her to conduct her own study on reef shark abundance and the anthropogenic factors influencing their distribution. Sanya has also developed her own outreach and education program, which she regularly leads for both resort guests and local schools. She is just getting started and is eager to see what the future holds for her work and this council.