A new national poll reveals overwhelming public opposition to the Maldivian government’s plan to reopen gulper shark fishing on 1 November 2025 – a move that would dismantle the country’s globally celebrated shark sanctuary.
Commissioned by ocean conservation charity Blue Marine Foundation, in partnership with Maldives Resilient Reefs and Miyaru – Shark Programme, the poll reveals that more than three-quarters of Maldivians (77%) fear reopening the fishery will damage both the marine environment and the economy. A further three-in-five (61%) are aware that the Maldives is one of just seventeen shark sanctuaries in the world, indicating environmental stewardship is high among the population.
If reopened, the fishery would strip the Maldives of its internationally recognised shark sanctuary status, a landmark achievement established in 2010 that made the nation a world leader in marine protection.
Sharks are essential to healthy reefs and power a tourism industry worth far more than any potential gulper shark fishery. Shark diving alone generates over US$14.4 million in direct revenue, with local businesses benefiting from a further US$51.4 million*.
A critical moment for conservation leadership
Data from the poll shows Maldivians see shark conservation as a shared responsibility. Local communities (28%), the national government (26%) and the tourism industry (26%) are considered prime stewards, closely followed by non-government organisations (21%). With citizens, local NGOs and organisations already doing their part, the government is now under pressure to show leadership and uphold the country’s reputation as a global conservation pioneer.
“The Maldives’ shark sanctuary is one of the country’s greatest conservation achievements, recognised worldwide,” said Shaha Hashim, Executive Director of Maldives Resilient Reefs. “Reopening gulper shark fishing puts our marine ecosystems, our economy and our global reputation at risk. The government has a critical role to play in safeguarding this legacy – the science is clear: gulper shark populations cannot withstand fishing pressure and their loss would have devastating ripple effects.”
A species at risk
Gulper sharks are among the ocean’s most vulnerable species: they grow slowly and collapse rapidly under fishing pressure. Other species capable of diving past 1,000m – including tiger sharks, hammerheads and threshers – would also be at risk as bycatch from the deepwater longlining is used to target gulpers.
Of the four Gulper shark species historically targeted in the Maldives, three are listed as Endangered and one as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Globally, gulper shark fisheries collapse within years of opening. In the Maldives, populations fell by 97% between 1982 and 2002** and the fishery collapsed in less than a decade.
Ahmed “Ricky” Mohamed, Co-Owner of Oceanic Nomad Divers and Member of the Miyaru – Shark Programme added: “Legalising gulper shark fishing would erase decades of conservation progress in a single stroke and put all deep-diving sharks and rays at risk of bycatch, including many of the species at the heart of the local wildlife tourism industry.”
Urgent call to action
Maldives Resilient Reefs, Miyaru and Blue Marine Foundation are calling on the government to maintain the sanctuary, in line with its international commitments under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The sanctuary remains the most effective and economically beneficial strategy for the Maldives.
The international community can help stop plans to reopen the gulper shark fishery in the Maldives by signing the OnlyOne petition. Last year, the Maldivian government reversed its decision to grant new longline fishing licenses, which could have allowed landing sharks as bycatch, after more than 30,000 people signed a petition. This is proof that together, gulper shark fishing can be prevented, to safeguard biodiversity, local livelihoods and preserve the Maldives’ shark sanctuary.
Dr Judith Brown, Blue Marine Foundation’s Projects Director, concluded: “The Maldives has been a beacon of shark conservation for more than a decade. It would be a tragedy to see this progress undone. Protecting sharks is the best path for the Maldives, for biodiversity, for tourism and for future generations.”