The government has officially announced the opening of a regulated gulper shark fishery, effective 1 November, with the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources issuing a comprehensive set of rules and regulations aimed at ensuring sustainable practices.
While licenses will begin to be issued immediately, active fishing for gulper sharks will be permitted from 1 December until June of the following year.
Maleeha Haleem, Director of the Fisheries Complaints Section at the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, emphasised the extensive requirements for all stakeholders.
"There are many things to be aware of now that gulper shark fishing is open. Persons engaged in gulper shark fishing and gulper shark fishing business shall do so under a license issued by the Ministry,” she explained.
This mandate extends to fishing vessels, processing establishments, and individuals involved in supplying gulper shark products.
A specialised, one-year license will be issued for gulper shark fishing. The regulations stipulate that a maximum of 40 vessels will be granted shark fishing licenses, awarded to the first boats to submit information through the online ‘Keyolhu' portal. Additionally, specific licenses will be required for gulper shark suppliers and shark oil processors, with all purchase details needing to be shared via the portal.
To enhance oversight, four dedicated ports have been designated for handling gulper shark catches which include Kulhudhuffushi City, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Funadhoo, Shaviyani Atoll, Maduvvari, Raa Atoll and Himandhoo, Alifu Alifu Atoll. Maleeha confirmed that a Ministry ranger will be stationed at each of these locations, who must be notified upon the arrival of any licensed vessel with a catch.
The new rules also impose strict prohibitions. Fishermen are explicitly forbidden from targeting any species designated as prohibited, separating any part of the gulper shark before bringing it to port, or conducting any processing activity prior to port delivery. Crucially, the regulations strictly prohibit targeting any species of shark other than gulper sharks.
For export, gulper shark and related products must be purchased from licensed individuals, sealed in accordance with standards prescribed by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), and clearly labeled with species, quantity, weight, date of manufacture, and exporter details. A catch certificate will also be mandatory for export.
"It is very important for the people involved to know all of these procedures and licensing details, how they work, and the resources used to manage everything,” she said, underscoring the importance of understanding the licensing mechanism.
Maleeha insisted that this comprehensive licensing framework is critical for effectively managing fisheries and maintaining shark populations in a sustainable manner.