Gathering Information to Formulate a Management Plan for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery

In preparation for opening the spiny dogfish fishery starting November 1, the Fisheries Ministry has held a meeting in Kulhudhuffushi City to formulate the management plan required under the Maldives Fisheries Act.

The meeting, held last night at the Kulhudhuffushi NOC to gather information for the plan, was attended by individuals who previously engaged in spiny dogfish fishing, those interested in the fishery, and some local fishermen.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that the spiny dogfish fishery would be reopened in November under a designated management plan. He made these remarks while meeting the residents of Kulhudhuffushi City during his tour of the inhabited islands of South Thiladhunmathi last August. The President stated at the time that the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment had reviewed the regulations related to spiny dogfish fishing and had now completed the work.

Spiny dogfish fishing is a type of fishery that was practiced in the Maldives years ago, from which fishermen derived significant benefits. The practice was halted due to the declining shark population in the Maldives. However, complaints have recently increased that the shark population in the Maldives has grown, sometimes causing a significant nuisance to fishermen.

Reef shark fishing, oceanic shark fishing, and spiny dogfish fishing were all types of fisheries practiced in the Maldives many years ago.