The Maldives has officially lifted its 15-year blanket ban on shark fishing, allowing the harvesting of gulper sharks between December and June each year under a new regulatory framework announced by the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources.
The decision, which took effect on Saturday, follows President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s August announcement to permit limited gulper shark fishing despite a long-standing prohibition in place since 2010.
According to the regulation published in the Government Gazette, gulper shark fishing will be permitted annually from 1 December to 30 June, with licenses restricted to 40 vessels. Fishing will be allowed only in waters outside the atolls, and exporters of gulper sharks or related products will be required to source exclusively from licensed fishers, processors, or suppliers.
Licenses will be issued on a first come, first served basis, with applications accepted between November and October. Those who apply but fall outside the quota limit will remain on a registry to be considered should a licensed vessel withdraw.
The regulation outlines fines of up to MVR 400,000 for violations of the new rules and penalties of up to MVR 100,000 for fishing other shark species.
Environmental organisations including Blue Marine Foundation, Maldives Resilient Reefs and Miyaru have raised alarm over the decision, warning that gulper sharks, slow growing deep sea species with low reproductive rates, are highly vulnerable to overexploitation.
President Muizzu, however, has said the policy is being implemented under a comprehensive management plan designed to ensure sustainability and regulatory oversight, balancing conservation with economic opportunity for local fishers.
