JOINT STATEMENT AGAINST THE RE-OPENING OF GULPER SHARK FISHERIES IN THE MALDIVES
We, the undersigned stakeholders, are writing to express our deep concern regarding proposals to re-open gulper shark (Centrophorus spp.) fisheries in the Maldives. The ecological and economic evidence is clear: this decision would harm both Maldivian biodiversity and Maldivian economic prosperity. We urge the government to undertake comprehensive scientific studies and ensure meaningful public consultation with all relevant stakeholders – including civil society organizations, researchers, academia, public authorities, and local councils – before taking decisions with cross-sector implications. It is essential that such decisions fully account for the long-term sustainability of the Maldives’ natural resources and ecosystems, which form the foundation of community livelihoods and national prosperity.
Gulper shark fisheries in the Maldives were already attempted in the 1980s, driven by demand for liver oil. Within a few short years, catches declined so steeply that the fishery collapsed and the shark populations were estimated to be reduced by more than 90% based on data available from liver oil exports. Almost three decades later, it is unlikely that the populations have recovered. This is not surprising because gulper sharks are among the slowest-reproducing sharks in the world. They take more than 20 years to reach sexual maturity, and may produce just one to two pups every two to three years. This biology makes them virtually incapable of sustaining commercial exploitation, especially considering the context of local population collapse just a few decades ago. In other areas where these fisheries have been attempted – whether in the Indian Ocean, Northeast Atlantic, or Mediterranean Sea – gulper shark fisheries collapsed rapidly and have shown no signs of recovery.
Any fishery for gulper sharks in the Maldives would follow the same trajectory and the consequences for Maldivian communities would be direct:
- An unsustainable and momentary boom followed by a catastrophic collapse – Fishers may see temporary income, but targeted deepwater shark fisheries collapse within 2-5 years, leaving livelihoods worse off than before. This was observed in the previous targeted gulper shark fishery in the Maldives.
- Negative impacts on local fisheries – Gulper sharks are important predators in the marine environment. Removing them destabilizes ecosystems and risks declines in other marine species that communities rely on for either food and income.
- High levels of bycatch of sharks and rays – Gulper shark fisheries typically rely on deep-set longlines and baited hooks, gears that indiscriminately capture anything drawn to the bait, not only gulper sharks but also other protected shark and ray species in Maldivian waters. Many of these animals are already listed as highly threatened globally, and their loss would further destabilize fragile ecosystems while undermining the hard-won conservation achievements that have made the Maldives a global leader in marine protection.
By contrast, living sharks already contribute enormously to the Maldivian economy. According to published studies, shark diving tourism generates over US$14.4 million USD in revenue, with the trickledown effects providing local businesses with US$51.4 million, supporting thousands of jobs and livelihoods across the country’s atolls. This steady and renewable stream of income far outweighs the fleeting gains from a short-lived fishery that would wipe out an irreplaceable species.
Moreover, reopening gulper shark fisheries carries significant reputational risks:
- The Maldives is celebrated globally for its 2010 decision to declare a nationwide shark sanctuary, a move that positioned the country as a leader in ocean stewardship and as the second shark sanctuary in the world. Reversing this progress would erode the Maldives’ international credibility and jeopardize strategic partnerships with environmentally conscious investors and tourists. The country’s status as a shark sanctuary is central to the viability of tourism operators, dive professionals, and local enterprises, and diminishing this reputation would place millions of dollars in revenue and significant employment opportunities at risk
- As gulper sharks are increasingly being regulated under international frameworks, including a proposal to be listed under CITES Appendix II (to be decided December 2025), pursuing their exploitation risks placing the Maldives in conflict with global commitments to biodiversity conservation. This could create trade complications and reputational fallout.
- It is also important to note that enforcement and implementation authorities currently lack species-level identification tools and adequately trained personnel, which increases the risk of further bycatch. Reopening the fishery without these systems in place would heighten the risk of unreported shark mortality across multiple populations and undermine both national conservation objectives and the Maldives’ international commitments.
We recognize that communities are concerned about securing direct economic benefits from natural resources and that economic diversification is essential. However, rather than reopening shark fisheries, the Maldives has an opportunity to strengthen and expand alternatives that are already providing sustainable livelihoods.
Eco-tourism activities such as shark diving and manta watching generate steady income for fishers and local businesses while protecting the very species that attract visitors to our waters. These alternative activities make sustainable use of natural resources and deliver far greater, long-term benefits to Maldivian communities as a whole, compared to the limited short-term gains that would result from reopening shark fisheries for a small group of specialized fishermen. Safeguarding deep sea ecosystems is therefore not only an environmental imperative but also a cornerstone of economic resilience and community well-being.
Both ecologically and economically, gulper shark fisheries are not sustainable. The Maldives’ strength lies in protecting sharks, not exploiting the last remnants of globally threatened populations. By safeguarding these species, the government can secure natural heritage and long-term economic resilience. We therefore call on the government to reject any proposal to reopen gulper shark fisheries and instead invest in sustainable alternatives such as eco-tourism, artisanal fisheries for resilient species, and marine research. The Maldives is globally recognized as a model of how small island nations can prosper by safeguarding – rather than depleting – their marine species.
Respectfully,
The undersigned local and international stakeholders