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Petition to the President of the Maldives to Continue the Ban on Shark Fishing of All Shark Species - 

His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu
President of the Republic of Maldives

Re: Announcement on 26 August 2025 to allow harvesting of Gulper Sharks (Centrophorus granulosus)

YOUR EXCELLENCY,

We, the undersigned citizens (local and international), scientists, conservation organisations, and tourism stakeholders, write to you with profound concern regarding your government’s decision to permit the harvesting of Gulper Sharks beginning in November 2025.

The Maldives is globally celebrated as a sanctuary for sharks and the world’s premier destination for shark tourism. Reversing this position by opening shark fisheries—even for a single species—will severely undermine the nation’s international reputation, compromise its tourism industry, and place already endangered species at greater risk of extinction.

Why the Maldives Must Continue to Protect Gulper Sharks

Gulper Sharks are among the most vulnerable of all shark species:

*Extremely slow reproduction – females take up to 17 years to mature, producing only 4–6 pups per litter.
* Endangered status – 75% of the gulper shark species are already at very high risk of extinction due to targeted fishing and low productivity.
* Population collapse risk – once depleted, recovery is impossible within human timeframes.
* Allowing harvest for squalene extraction is both unnecessary and unsustainable. Global demand for shark-derived squalene is declining as cheaper, plant-based alternatives—derived from olives, sugarcane, and amaranth seeds—are readily available and preferred by environmentally conscious consumers.

Risks Beyond Gulper Sharks

Opening a fishery for Gulper Sharks will inevitably result in:

1. Bycatch of other shark species, many of which are equally or more threatened.
   2. Illegal or misreported harvests, as other species may be taken under the guise of targeting Gulper Sharks.
   3. Erosion of management credibility, making enforcement costly and ineffective.

Sharks as Climate Allies

Sharks are vital allies in the fight against climate change. They regulate prey populations that maintain carbon-sequestering seagrass and marine vegetation, and their bodies act as long-term carbon sinks when they die and settle on the ocean floor. Removing them accelerates climate breakdown at a time when the Maldives is on the frontline of sea-level rise.

The Maldives’ Global Leadership at Stake

The Maldives has long been admired for visionary leadership in marine protection. Maintaining the shark fishing ban reinforces this reputation and strengthens your voice in international climate and conservation negotiations. Conversely, lifting the ban risks not only ecological harm but also economic damage, as nature-based tourism remains the country’s largest and most sustainable revenue stream.

Our Commitment

Should Your Excellency reaffirm the full ban on shark fishing—including Gulper Sharks—we will celebrate and amplify this decision globally. Ocean Geographic commits to publishing a 20-page editorial feature showcasing the Maldives as the world’s shark tourism capital in our January 2026 issue—an estimated USD 70,000 in PR value—to attract even more eco-conscious travellers and investors.

We respectfully but firmly urge Your Excellency and the Government of the Maldives to maintain the complete ban on shark fishing across all species. This decision will safeguard biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and ensure that the Maldives continues to shine as a beacon of environmental stewardship and marine tourism.

With deepest respect,

1. Michael AW & Ocean Geographic Editorial Board
2. Mohamed Nasheed - Fmr. President of the Maldives
3. Dr Sylvia Earle - Founder of Mission Blue
4. Dr Gerald Allen
5. Dr Peter Harrison
6. Dr Emma Camp
7. Dr Alice Soccodato
8. Dr Toh Tai Chong
9. Dr Carden Wallace
10. Dr Barbara Wueringer
11. Dr Alex Mustard
12. Prince Hussain Aga Khan
13. David Doubilet
14. Jennifer Hayes
15. Howard Hall
16. Michele Hall
17. Evonne Ong
18. Andy Murch
19. Kurt Amsler
20. Janel Kok
21. Alex Rose
22. Koji Nakamura
23. Marteyne VAN WELL
24. Howard and Michele Hall
25. Brian Skerry
26. Doug Perrine
27. Mohamed Muzafar

Supporting Organisations

1. Mission Blue
2. OceanNEnvironment Ltd
3. Maldives Underwater Initiatives
4. Blue Earth Environment Ltd
5. Sharks and Rays Australia
6.