Shark Guardian Response: Reopening Shark Fishing Threatens Maldives’ Sanctuary Status and Eco-Tourism Future
- Shark Guardian
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
We at Shark Guardian are alarmed by the 26th August 2025 announcement that the Gulper shark fishery will reopen in November under a “comprehensive management plan” The President's Office. This move is deeply troubling—not only because it undermines the Maldives’ reputation as a global shark sanctuary but also because it risks the long-term health of the nation’s tourism-dependent economy.
Sharks Are Economic Assets—Much More Valuable Alive than Dead
But sharks deliver far more value alive. Studies consistently show that shark diving and eco-tourism generate tens of millions of dollars annually and attract over 10% of tourists to the Maldives The President's Office. Sharks are a primary draw for divers worldwide, and shark encounters are among the top dive experiences. In contrast, shark fishing yields only short-term gains for a small group—and once populations decline, the invaluable eco-tourism revenue disappears.
Maldives: This peer-reviewed study found that an increase in shark populations could boost dive-trip demand by 15%, adding approximately US $58 million in annual tourist welfare and more than US $6 million in direct economic benefit to the dive-tourism industry. Conversely, a decline in shark populations or illegal fishing could lead to a 56% drop in demand, causing losses exceeding US $24 million annually. the UWA Profiles and Research Repositorynews.uwa.edu.au
Palau: Research conducted by the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the University of Western Australia estimated that shark diving generated US $18 million annually for Palau—around 8% of its GDP. A single reef shark was valued at US $179,000 per year or nearly US $1.9 million over its lifetime. Shark tourism also supported US $1.2 million in salaries and contributed approximately 14% of the country’s business tax revenue. Pew Charitable Trustsmsfpalau.org
Bahamas: A study in Biological Conservation revealed that sharks and rays contributed US $114 million to the Bahamian economy in 2014, with nearly all of it (about 99%) coming from the shark and ray tourism sector. Around 19,000 divers—comprising 43% of all dive tourists—were drawn primarily by sharks, spending US $49 million on shark diving experiences, translating into approximately US $109 million in economic impact. Pew Charitable TrustsPew Charitable Trusts
“Sustainable Shark Fishing” Is Not Feasible
The idea of "sustainable shark fishing" fails under scrutiny. Sharks grow slowly, reproduce late, and produce few offspring. Regulating by species is nearly impossible in open ocean environments. Without extremely strict and costly monitoring, permitting shark fishing opens avenues to exploit multiple species—including endangered ones—and fuels the global shark-fin trade.
Conflicting Signals: Development vs. Conservation
President Muizzu's administration is framing the reopening as part of broader development efforts, including tourism infrastructure and regional growth plans The President's Office. However, this approach sends mixed messages. It’s contradictory to foster eco-tourism—built on the Maldives’ sanctuary status—while simultaneously allowing practices that directly threaten its core identity and appeal.
Consequences for Marine Health and Conservation Leadership
Sharks play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Removing them jeopardizes coral reefs, fish populations, and overall ocean health. Globally, the Maldives has been a beacon of conservation leadership. Reopening shark fishing erodes this legacy and could encourage similar rollbacks elsewhere.
"How Sharks Keep the Ocean Healthy" (NOAA)This informative overview explains how sharks help regulate populations of mid-level predators, protecting vital habitats like coral reefs, kelp forests, and seagrass meadows. Their presence supports biodiversity and strengthens ecosystem resilience. NOAA Sanctuaries
"Ecological importance of sharks and rays in a structural foodweb analysis in southern Brazil" (ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2014)Employing food-web topology, this study demonstrates that several shark species function as keystone elements in marine food webs. Their absence can significantly destabilize the entire ecosystem. ADS
How the Maldives Can Find the Right Path Forward
Rethink the reopening of shark fisheries and maintain existing sanctuary protections.
Invest in eco-tourism—promote shark-based diving experiences, sustainable marine tours, and educational programs.
Support science and marine monitoring to strengthen conservation and inform policy.
Highlight its international leadership in marine protection—maintaining sanctuary status safeguards both biodiversity and the economy.
“Reopening shark fishing threatens the Maldives’ hard-earned reputation as a global shark sanctuary. Sharks are far more valuable alive, supporting eco-tourism, healthy reefs, and the livelihoods of local communities. Allowing fishing would undermine decades of conservation progress and damage the Maldives’ international image.” – Brendon Sing, Founder of Shark Guardian
Read and download: Shark Guardian open letter to Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu
Reopening the Gulper shark fishery, even under a "management plan," risks undoing years of conservation progress and economic good sense. The Maldives must choose its legacy: short-term extraction—or sustainable prosperity built on its status as a respected shark sanctuary.