Can gulper sharks recover? Maldives’ national deep-sea monitoring programme
Less than three decades ago, gulper sharks in Maldives were fished to near extinction for their liver oil. The Maldivian government introduced a nationwide shark fishing ban in 2010, affording gulper sharks nearly 15 years of protection. Unlike other regions where gulper shark fisheries have closed or become regulated, Maldives offers an opportunity to assess whether gulper shark populations can recover when fully protected. Sara is collecting baseline data on gulper sharks to create a standardised national monitoring framework. Taking a community-focused approach, she will combine local ecological knowledge with genetic sampling and local fisheries data to compile basic awareness and understanding of gulper sharks.
Sara Scroglieri
Growing up in Milan, Italy, I was geographically far from the coast but close to the sea in spirit. My dad was an avid diver and from a very young age I felt that the ocean was an anchor in my life. Even though I was raised in a big metropolitan area, water was home, and I guess that’s why travelling ended up being so important to me, as a way to get closer to the nature and landscapes I’ve always felt more connected to.
Like many millennials, I grew up with fantasy novels and found comfort...
Can Gulper Sharks Recover? Building a National Monitoring Programme for Deep-Sea Sharks in the Maldives
Our mission is to collect baseline data on gulper sharks in Maldives and create a standardised national monitoring framework for these little-known sharks that have not been studied in the region. With a community-focused approach, we aim to combine local ecological knowledge with genetic sampling and local fisheries data to build up basic awareness and understanding of gulper sharks.
Less than three decades ago, gulper sharks in Maldives were fished to near extinction for their liver oil in a stark reminder of how vulnerable deep-sea species are without proper management. This project will establish baseline data on diversity, distribution and bycatch rates, while engaging fishers in monitoring and best handling practices. By building community-led conservation capacity, our findings will better inform national policy and contribute to international efforts such as IUCN Red List assessments.
In Maldives, the story of gulper sharks (Centrophoridae) is both a cautionary tale and an opportunity. Once abundant, these deep-sea sharks were heavily targeted from the 1980s to early 2000s for their liver oil, which is rich in squalene. Although no data on gulper sharks in Maldives exist, reports of liver oil exports show that the fishery collapsed in just two decades. Gulper sharks, like many deep-sea species, grow and reproduce slowly, which means they are unable to recover from targeted fishing.
The Maldivian government introduced a nationwide shark fishing ban in 2010, a measure that has provided gulper sharks, along with many other species, some 15 years of protection. Unlike other regions where gulper shark fisheries have simply closed or become regulated, Maldives offers a globally unique case study: an opportunity to assess whether gulper shark populations can recover when fully protected. However, we know almost nothing about gulper sharks in Maldives. Their current population distribution, and even the distinct species present, remain a mystery. Fishers report that gulper sharks are caught unintentionally when other species, like groupers, are targeted, but there is no systematic monitoring.
This project seeks to change that. By establishing baseline data and documenting bycatch rates, we aim to provide the information needed for sound conservation decisions. Just as importantly, this work will be rooted in community involvement. The ecological knowledge of Maldivian fishers and local communities is invaluable, but has long been overlooked. By combining their insights with scientific research, we can create a locally led framework for shark conservation.
This project creates a pathway for Maldivians to play a central role in protecting their shark populations by building long-term conservation capacity and contributing to global knowledge about the recovery of deep-sea species.
- To establish a dataset on species distribution and diversity, assess relative abundance and monitor and log bycatch rates.
- To create a framework for community-driven, inclusive and scalable monitoring strategy supported by local stakeholders.
- To produce, in English and Dhivehi, the first bilingual, stakeholder-driven identification guide to deep-sea sharks of Maldives to promote accurate species recognition, empower the local community and strengthen national monitoring and conservation efforts.
- To foster community pride, stewardship and support for shark protection through accessible and locally relevant education and outreach material and demonstrate that shark conservation and fisheries can work hand in hand.