Abstract
Between 2023 and 2025 the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) ran a contract, on behalf of Fuvahmulah City Council and Maldives Ministry of Tourism and Environment, to undertake a review of shark diving practices at Fuvahmulah Atoll (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in southern Maldives); and, following the review, to further explore some of the considerations highlighted, including the development of shark diving Codes of Conduct and scoping the feasibility of a Shark Dive Guide Certification programme specific to Fuvahmulah.
In recent years a valuable shark diving industry has developed in Fuvahmulah as it has become globally recognised for its dive encounters with an abundance of elusive marine megafauna species. Of particular interest is the opportunity for divers to experience close encounters with multiple tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier), attracted to the dive site via provisioning (the use of bait).
The Review of Shark Diving Practices at Fuvahmulah, Maldives was published in 2024, and aimed to:
- Review current dive practices in Fuvahmulah, including current and past provisioning practices and how the local dive industry has developed current management measures;
- Provide a review of provisioning shark tourism with case studies and examples from different global sites;
- Consider best practices and considerations for developing a unified Code of Conduct for shark diving tourism;
- Explore examples of sustainable fish waste practices from around the world with possible application for Fuvahmulah.
A key action highlighted by stakeholders in the Review was the need to develop standardised operational practices to ensure diver and shark safety, and the long-term sustainability of the sector. Therefore, in 2024/25, following publication of the Review, in collaboration with local and national authorities and the dive industry in Fuvahmulah, OCPP contractors facilitated the development of four shark-diving Codes of Conduct aimed at different shark species: thresher sharks, predatory sharks, and provisioned tiger sharks at Tiger Harbour (2 codes). The feasibility of a Shark Dive Guide Certification programme specific to Fuvahmulah was also scoped.
The following resources are available:
- Review of Shark Diving Practices at Fuvahmulah
- Codes of conduct (English version)
- Codes of conduct (Dhihevi version)
- Management options for shark diving in Fuvahmulah, Maldives: Development of Codes of Conduct for shark interactions, and Scoping Shark Dive Guide Certification
All results, considerations and options put forth in these reports are presented with the basis that stakeholder involvement and participation is crucial for a successful and inclusive sustainable shark diving industry in Fuvahmulah.
These resources may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need copies in a different or more accessible format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.
