Maldives Visitors Guide 2009

Marine species banned from export (as of De­cem­ber 1996) in the Maldives include:

• Black Corals

• Bigeye scad under 6”

• Pearl Oysters

• Whales

• Parrot Fish

• Turtles

• All types of Bait Fish

• Puffer Fish

• Eels

• Trochus Shells

• Triton shells

• Skates and Rays

• Dolphins

• Lobsters and lobster meat

• All types of corals (except organ pipe coral)

Marine species prohibited from killing, catching and collection or extraction in the Maldivian waters include:

• Dolphins {since 15 May 1993, Notice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}

• Berried female lobsters and those less than 25cm in total length {since 15 May 1993,

Notice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}

• Whales {since 15 May 1993, No­tice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}

• Giant Clams {since 15 May 1993, Notice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}

• Triton Shells {since 15 May 1993, Notice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}

• Black Coral {since 01 January 1995, Notice No: FA-A1/29/95/01 (01-01-1995)}

• Napoleon Wrasse {since 24 June 1995, Notice No: FA-A1/29/95/39 (24-06-1995)}

• Whale Shark {since 24 June 1995, Notice No: FA-A1/29/95/39 (24-06-1995)}

• Turtles {for 10 years since 24 June 1995 , Notice No: FA-A1/29/95/39 (24-06-1995)}

Sharks Under Fisheries Law 5/87, in September 1998 MoFA banned fishing of sharks for a period of 10 years within a 12 mile distance from the following atolls;

1- Baa Atoll

2- Lhaviyani Atoll

3- Malé Atoll

4- North Ari Atoll

5- South Ari Atoll

6- Vaavu Atoll

7- Seenu Atoll

The following de­structive fishing meth­ods are also banned:

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• Use of dynamite or explosives;

• Use of guns or any other such devises to catch fish;

• Use of chemicals to collect or catch fish;

• Use of scuba gear to collect sea cu­cum­ber and lobsters.