Fisheries Ministry Advices Against Illegal Shark Fishing & Exportation In Black Market In The Maldives

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture made an announcement noting that it had come to their notice that illegal shark fishing being carried out in the Maldives in addition to the exportation of shark meat and shark products through a black market.

In 2010, shark fishing in addition to processing and exporting shark meat and shark products were declared illegal consequent to the alarmingly deteriorating population of sharks in the Maldives in addition to a number of shark species being declared endangered in the Maldives and also across the world.

As illegal shark fishing and exportation of shark meat and other shark products through the black market have come to notice, the Ministry states that they are taking special measures to bring this to stop. Accordingly, export containers of certain types are being thoroughly checked whereas the Maldives Police Service and the Coast Guard have heightened patrol in the areas where it is believed that illegal shark fishing are taking place.

Whilst the Ministry notes that actions will be pursued against those proven to be involved in such acts, they also highlight successful operations carried out so far. In January, a shipment of shark fins has been seized by the Maldives Customs Service. Apart from this in March, Maldives Police Service had seized a vessel that was fishing sharks illegally red-handed alongside their catches on the vessel.

(Photo: Customs)

Nevertheless, the Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources & Agriculture Ms. Zaha Waheed has stated that discussions were presently underway to allow fishing for sharks in the open seas in a sustainable manner. She also notes that sharks posed a threat to all types of fishes due to the preying habits whereas complaints have arisen recently regarding the increase of the shark population in general and them preying on the catch of fishermen. This was said in a meeting the Minister attended with the Parliament’s Economic Committee, yesterday.
 
(Cover Photo: Natascha Leisi)