Sharks tend to conjure up images of horrifying and agonising deaths in the water. This is partly due to Peter Benchley’s book “Jaws” and the subsequent Steven Spielberg film of the same name that have somewhat vilified sharks as being blood thirsty predators who roam the seas in search of helpless human victims. While it makes for good suspense, the actual fact is that sharks are not the “villains” they are made out to be and many shark species are in fact endangered.
Realizing the importance of sharks both as an integral part of the marine ecosystem and as an attraction for tourism, the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives has initiated the Maldives SHARK WATCH Program. Designed to create awareness, this initiative also looks to collect data on the shark population in the Maldives by way of “sighting cards” that are gathered from such sources as local dive centres and tourist resorts that operate diving excursions.
Also blessed with a rich and diverse coral reef ecosystem, the Maldives is home to around 37 different species of shark including the “Patrollers” who are known for their relative friendliness. However, in the past, the shark population in the Maldives has come under threat due to over fishing which has caused numbers to decline. This in turn has had an adverse affect on tourism since the sharks themselves have become quite a draw especially for those looking to explore the surrounding waters.
In order to combat the declining shark population, the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has implemented a ban on the fishing of reef sharks in and around all the Maldivian islands. It is hoped that the ban will slowly but surely lead to an increase in shark numbers while the Maldives SHARK WATCH Program plays an integral part in monitoring these developments.
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