Activists re-submit petition challenging move to lift ban on gulper shark fishing

Environmental activists have resubmitted a petition challenging the government’s decision to lift the ban on gulper shark fishing – ending the Maldives’ status as one of the few shark sanctuaries left in the world.

The Maldives has had a blanket ban on shark fishing since 2010. But in November 2025, the government partially lifted this ban to allow gulper shark fishing.

Activists Humaida Abdul Gafoor and Mohamed Sineen, who left the Save Maldives campaign, filed a constitutional case with the High Court seeking to invalidate the decision.

But the case was rejected by the court in December, citing failure to establish whether the plan to allow gulper shark fishing mentioned in their petition was a law or regulation.

They have now resubmitted their petition after revisions.

According to the regulation on management of gulper shark fishery published by the Fisheries Ministry, it will only be allowed from December 1 to June 30 each year, with license for gulper shark fishery limited to 40 fishing vessels.

The regulation also stipulates that exporters of gulper sharks or gulper shark products must purchase the fish from parties with a license to fish, process or supply gulper sharks.

The regulation prescribes fines of up to MVR 400,000 for violations, and fines of up to MVR 100,000 for fishing any other shark species.

The decision to lift the ban on gulper shark fishing has met with concern from environmental conservation groups including Blue Marine Foundation, Maldives Resilient Reefs, and Miyaru, who have warned that gulper sharks are slow-growing deep-sea species that reproduce infrequently, making them particularly vulnerable to overfishing.

But the government insists that gulper shark fishing is being permitted under a comprehensive management plan to ensure sustainability and regulatory compliance.