A High Court case has been filed seeking to revoke the government’s decision permitting fishing of the endangered gulper shark.
The administrative case was filed by environmental activists from Save Maldives Campaign, Humaidha Abdul Ghafoor and Mohamed Sineen.
Prior to this, Humaidha had filed a case with the Civil Court seeking an injunction to halt to the reclamation of K. Gulhifalhu, citing it would cause irrevocable damage to the environment. She had appealed the case to High Court after the Civil Court denied the injunction. While the appellate court granted the injunction – the decision was overturned by the Supreme Court upon appeal from the state.
The High Court’s registry confirms that an administrative case challenging gulper shark fishing was submitted this week. The Court has yet to determine whether it will accept the case or not. At present, no further details have been disclosed.
The Maldives has had a blanket ban on shark fishing since 2010. But in August, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the decision to partially lift this plan to allow gulper shark fishing.
The regulation on the management of gulper shark fishery was published by the Fisheries Ministry on November 1st, effectively reversing this ban. Under this regulation, the license for gulper shark fisheries will be limited to 40 vessels and gulper shark fishery will only be permitted from December 1 to June 30 each year.
Notably, a parliamentary resolution was filed by Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas calling to reverse the decision to permit gulper shark fishing in the Maldives.
Abbas underscored that the shark species play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem including regulating prey populations and overall health of the ocean. He stressed that gulp shark fishing would reduce the shark population, creating an imbalance in marine biodiversity, which, in turn, would negatively impact Maldives’ fisheries sector.
Additionally, Abbas highlighted that gulper shark fishing could harm tourism and damage the Maldives’ reputation for sustainability. He added that there will be backlash from foreign environmental protection organizations and activists.
Abbas noted that while allowing gulper shark fishing might bring short-term economic gains to the Maldives, it would have detrimental long-term effects. As such, he urged the government against permitting gulper shark fishing.
Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, to which the Maldives is a signatory, the gulper shark is classified as endangered. Member states collectively agreed to list the species under Appendix II, mandating controls on its international trade to prevent further risk, particularly given the intense demand for its liver oil (squalene) used in cosmetic and supplement industries. This designation represents a significant move toward regulating and reducing unsustainable exploitation.