On 31 October 2025, the government approved regulations to reopen gulper shark fishing from 1 November 2025, carving a species-level exemption that many fear threatens the Maldives’ reputation as a biodiversity haven. In this article, Dr Judith Brown, Blue Marine Foundation’s Projects Director, outlines why Maldivians overwhelmingly reject this move. Dr Brown says “a national poll found 77% fear reopening gulper shark fisheries will harm both the marine environment and the economy… While evidence, public opinion and parliamentary advice align, the regulation has moved the other way.”
You can read the full Oceanographic article here.
