Maldives mulls allowing processing for longline caught sharks
However, the rules prohibit vessels licensed to fish for longlining to fish directly for sharks.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
A regulation on longline fishing has been drafted and opened for public comment, allowing the processing and commercial use of sharks caught in longline fishing.
The Cabinet had decided in March to reopen the longline fishery in Maldives with the aim of further developing the tuna industry.
The ministry has opened the opportunity for comments on the longline fishing regulations until Sunday.
According to this regulation, sharks caught in longline fisheries as well as other species not targeted during fishing shall be brought ashore in accordance with internationally recognized norms and used for commercial purposes only where such species are permitted to be processed. Thus:
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The regulations provide for a special licence for processing dead sharks caught in the longline
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The holder of this licence is allowed to trade and process sharks under the regulations
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Sharks caught from such places must be treated in the same way as fish processing facilities. Information on the shark must be sent in accordance with the requirements of the fish processing as determined by the Ministry
However, the rules prohibit vessels licensed to fish for longlining to fish directly for sharks.
The ministry said it was not opening up the country to shark fishing and it was not a move with the intention of doing it. The rules also include measures to reduce the number of sharks caught in the longline fishery.
Included are:
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Do not use wire in the mainline when longline fishing
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Release the shark that is not dead immediately when the longline is removed
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When bringing a dead shark to port, do not remove any fins from its body
