The Maldives has lifted its ban on shark fishing, allowing gulper shark fishing from December to June under a new management plan.
The Fisheries Ministry announced the decision on Saturday, following President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to reopen shark fishing in a controlled manner.
The regulation allows 40 licensed vessels to fish gulper sharks from December 1 to June 30, outside atoll boundaries. Exporters must buy only from licensed fishers or processors.
Environmental groups, including Blue Marine Foundation, Miyaru, and Maldives Resilient Reefs, have raised concerns, warning that gulper sharks are slow-growing and highly vulnerable to overfishing.
The government says the decision follows a management plan to ensure sustainable and regulated fishing.
