Located within the Indian Ocean lies 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks which makes up the Maldives. People from all around the world come to the Maldives to have the opportunity to dive with sharks. With shark tourism generating over $2.3 million annually, the Maldivian government kept a close eye on their sharks. When shark numbers made a huge decline, the government took huge steps towards shark conservation. On March 1st 2010, shark fishing was officially banned EVERYWHERE in the Maldives, further protecting sharks. This new ban prevents fishermen from hunting reef sharks in all of the Maldives’ 26 atolls and for up to 12 nautical miles off the atoll coasts. With these protective measures, the Maldivian hopes to see a recovery in shark numbers, improving both the environment and the tourism industry. After a decade of being protected by the Maldives, this shark haven could be coming to an end. The Ministry of Fisheries is now discussing legalizing the killing of sharks in the Maldives. Allowing this to happen would mean destroying one of the last shark sanctuaries in the world, as well as destroy the shark tourism industry. With your help, we can ensure the continuation of the nation’s shark fishing ban. By signing this petition, you are using your voice to urge the Maldives to keep their promise of protecting their marine life. By signing this petition, you are supporting shark conservation. You are saying that sharks are worth more alive in the ocean than dead. By signing this petition, you are making a change. Speak up.

Sign & Share:

https://secure.avaaz.org/community_petitions/en/maldives_ministry_of_fisheries_marine_resources_an_help_keep_one_of_the_worlds_last_shark_havens_safe/?cQWzbsb&utm_source=sharetools&utm_medium=copy&utm_campaign=petition-1195316-help_keep_one_of_the_worlds_last_shark_havens_safe&utm_term=QWzbsb%2Ben

Mahalo (Thank you),

Phillip