HAMNA'S STORY...A Story of a Volleyball Player that turned into a Shark Guide.

Meet Hamna Hussain, Maldives national volleyball player turned shark guide, who spends every day with the apex predators off her home island of Fuvahmulah. It's there scientists from the international Nekton Mission will conduct research to understand more about the behaviour of these giant creatures.

Hamna "Hampty" Hussain is the first female dive master from Fuvahmulah in The Maldives. While relatively new to the world of diving, Hamna is sharing her passion for the ocean and sharks with people around the world. She is also inspiring women and young women everywhere to pursue diving opportunties.

Diving with Sharks

According to Hamty, the tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah are resident sharks. “For me, sharks are just like a cat or puppies. They have taught me alot. Sharks are the apex predators, and they’ve been here for 500 million years. Even though we go into their territory, they acknowledge and respect us.”

Hamna believes sharks can control their surroundings. When a shark enters the area while diving, the diver says she can feel its presence even if she does not see the shark.

“The Maldives is a haven for sharks because shark fishing or finning is restricted here. But in other parts of the world, it’s still a problem.”

Hamna came to the industry without knowing anyone or anything about it. “I did not have anyone to look up to in the beginning. I just went into the ocean, and the ocean kind of spoke to me.”

Working as a divemaster, Hamna met alot of people from various parts of the world. She expresses delight in knowing everyone shares a mutual love for the ocean.