Motion presented to lift ban on long line fishing hunting sharks, turtles

MP for Kaashidhoo Abdulla Jabir has presented an emergency motion to bring to an end the ban on longline fishing within 50 miles of the country imposed on local fishermen.

The motion also called for permits to hunt and fish sharks, turtles and even forage for black coral under a specialized regulation that will bring the benefits of the blue economy to the citizens.

The motion by MP Jabir read that a lot of complaints were being received by fishermen who dive for bait and practice long line fishing 50-70 miles out at sea, regarding sharks.

MP Jabir stated that a survey he conducted had shown that these sharks did not belong to the tropical garden of the Maldives and traveled from far away to disrupt the activities of the fishermen.

He added that the sharks within the territory of the Maldives were not the kind that posed a danger to humans, but the sharks that migrate into the territory pose a significant danger to fishermen and marine life. MP Jabir went on to state that the negative incidents caused by these sharks had increased and had resulted in an attack on a tourist that saw the loss of an arm. The motion by MP Jabir also read that a shark attack on November 30, 2019, had left a man from F. Bilehdhoo injured as well.

He called on the president and the government to protect the two main industries of the country.

What does the motion call for?

• Identifying the sharks that posed a danger to humans in Maldivian territories.
• Taking steps to prevent harm and disruptions from these sharks on human activities
• Ending the ban on longline fishing within 50 miles of Maldivian territory, and permitting to hunt sharks, turtles and even forage for black coral under a specialized regulation that will benefit the public through the blue economy.