Constitutional case filed to overturn decision allowing gulper shark fishing

A constitutional case has been filed in the High Court seeking to revert the government’s decision to permit gulper shark fishing in the Maldives.

Environmental activists Humaidha Abdul Ghafoor and Mohamed Seeneen submitted the case on Tuesday, challenging the policy introduced last October.

High Court has not yet decided whether it will accept the case, which is filed against the Attorney General’s Office.

The government approved gulper shark fishing under a special regulation that allows the activity for up to seven months each year, with specific periods announced periodically.

The rules permit a maximum of 40 vessels to receive fishing licences. Businesses involved in gulper shark fishing must also obtain a separate licence.

Under the regulation, no part of a gulper shark may be removed before the vessel reaches harbour, and all processing is prohibited prior to bringing the catch ashore.

Shark fishing is banned within atoll boundaries and may only be conducted outside the atoll.

The decision has drawn criticism from environmental groups, with multiple organisations signing a petition urging the government to maintain the national shark fishing ban, in place since 2010 under former President Mohamed Nasheed.

The petition argues that reinstating shark fishing threatens marine ecosystems and risks damaging the Maldives’ tourism-dependent economy, while also undermining the country’s global advocacy on climate and ocean protection.

Humaidha has previously filed litigation to oppose major environmental decisions, including the Gulhifalhu reclamation project.