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The Shark Fisheries of the Maldives- BOBP/MIS/07

Year of publication 1993

Pages p.84

Author R.C. Anderson & Hudha Ahmed;Fishery and Aquaculture Economics and Policy Division

Product type Project

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Tuna fishing is the most important fisheries activity in the Maldives. Shark fishing is one of the major secondary fishing activities. A large proportion of Maldivian fishermen fish for shark at least part-time, normally during seasons when the weather is calm and tuna scarce. Most shark products are exported, with export earnings in 1991 totalling MRf 12.1 million. There are three main shark fisheries. A deepwater vertical longline fishery for Gulper Shark (Kashi miyaru) which yields high-val ue oil for export. An offshore longline and handline fishery for oceanic shark, which yields fins andmeat for export. And an inshore gillnet, handline and longline fishery for reef and othe’r atoll-associated shark, which also yields fins and meat for export. The deepwater Gulper Shark stocks appear to be heavily fished, and would benefit from some control of fishing effort. The offshore oceanic shark fishery is small, compared to the size of the shark stocks, and could be expanded. The reef sha rk fisheries would probably run the risk of overfishing if expanded very much more. Reef shark fisheries are asource of conflict with the important tourism industry. ‘Sharkwatching’ is a major activity among tourist divers. It is roughly estimated that sharkwatching generates US $ 2.3 million per year in direct diving revenue. It is also roughly estimated that a Grey Reef Shark may be worth at least one hundred times more alive at a dive site than dead on a fishing boat. Various recommendation s are made for the resolution of conflicts between the tourism industry and shark fishermen. Recommendations on other issues are also made in this review, which was undertaken with the assistance of FAO through their Technical Cooperation Programme (project TCP/MDV/2252).

Language English

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