Once again showing global leadership towards the ongoing shark fin crisis, the Maldives has initiated funding for shark fishermen in tandem with NGO's and shark tourism efforts.We covered the need for new conservation ideas for the global shark fin trade last week.
Press Release
The government has decided to inaugurate a fund on June 8 to encourage families depended on shark fishing find alternative livelihoods.
In a press release, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture said experts had advised the government that the population of sharks might decrease in Maldivian waters as shark species have slow growth, late maturity, and low fecundity. Research has also shown that shark fishing has negative impacts on tourism and fishery, the two main economic activities in the Maldives, the press statement added.
Fisheries Ministry stressed that the cabinet, on March 25, decided to impose a total ban on trade and export of sharks and shark products within the Maldives industrial zone.
“This ministry is continuously working to facilitate alternative livelihoods to those who were depended on shark fishing. In this regard, it has been decided to inaugurate a fund on this year’s World Oceans Day in collaboration with the parties involved in tourism sector and NGOs, to assist shark fishermen,” the statement read.
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