High Court registrar rejects case against gulper shark fishery decision

The Registrar of the High Court on Thursday declined to accept a case seeking to quash the government’s decision to reopen the gulper shark fishery in the Maldives.

The decision to reopen the fishery has drawn objections from environmental groups and members of the diving community.

The case was filed by Humaida Abdul Gafoor and Mohamed Seenin, who have been active in environmental advocacy. They sought judicial review of the government’s plan to allow gulper shark fishing.

In declining to admit the case, the registrar said a constitutional matter arises when a law or regulation is alleged to be unconstitutional. The registrar noted that the plan announced by the government does not constitute a law or regulation.

The registrar also said that while the application claimed the gulper shark fishery rule was unconstitutional, it did not clearly state the basis on which the alleged violation occurred.

Under court procedure, the applicants may request a review of the registrar’s decision by a judge. It is not yet known whether such a request will be made.

Opposition to the reopening of the fishery has included a letter signed by 60 environmental organisations and 50 scientists, which was sent to President Mohamed Muizzu, urging him to reverse the decision.

Gulper shark fishing has been prohibited and sharks have been protected in the Maldives for several years.