Ban on Shark Fishing Deferred

28 February 2010:  The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has deferred the date of ban on shark fishing pending decision from the Cabinet. This was announced in a press release by the Ministry on Sunday 28 February.  A public announcement a year ago had said the Ministry would ban all forms of shark fishing by 01 March 2010. 

Sharks are long-lived, mature late and give birth to relatively small number of young. These characteristics make the shark populations highly susceptible to over-fishing. Research has shown that the shark populations have declined in the Maldives to the extent they may be considered threatened. In Maldives sharks are extremely important for tourism. 'Shark watching’ - a popular activity among the tourists is a multi-million dollar industry.

PRESS RELEASE [Unofficial Translation]

BAN ON SHARK FISHING IN THE EEZ OF THE MALVIES

Sharks grow slowly, mature late and live for many years, but they have relatively small numbers of young. As a results shark stocks have low renewal rates and are easily overfished. Sharks are top level predators in the food chain and therefore paly an important role in the functioning of the ecosystem. Shark fishing in Maldives has proved to be detrimental to two most important economic sectors; tourism and fishery. Research has shown that shark watching in their natural habitat by tourists generates several times more revenue than one off income from fishing.

Given the depleted state of the shark fishery and considering that research has demonstrated shark populations have reached threatened levels in the Maldives the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, under the Article 10 of the Maldives Fishery Law No 5/87, has the legal powers to implement and enforce measures to protect and conserve the species.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture announced on 01 March 2009  (Iulaan No.  FA-D/29/2009/20) that shark fishing is banned from within 12 miles of the Maldives. On the same day it was also made public that shark fishing will be completely banned from the entire exclusive economic zone effective from 01 March 2010.  However, considering there is a small number of shark fishermen who earns a living from this activity the Ministry has deferred the date of this announcement pending Cabinet decision on the issue.

Press Release of 28 February 2010: (in Divehi, Download 199 KB)

See earlier links on the topic: Maldives ban shark fishing [2009-03-01 13:04:21]