Every year, International Whale Shark Day is a reminder of how precious these gentle giants are to our oceans — and how much responsibility we share in protecting them. For us here in Fenfushi Island, the connection runs even deeper. Our island is known as the capital of whale sharks in the Maldives, and these magnificent creatures have been part of our lives and livelihoods for generations.
Whale sharks are permanent residents of the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), a sanctuary created to ensure that they can live safely in their natural environment. Each day, hundreds of visitors come to Fenfushi to experience the wonder of swimming with the world’s largest fish. Whale shark excursions are now among the most popular activities in the Maldives, attracting travelers not only from nearby resorts but even from faraway atolls.
These creatures are more than just a tourist attraction — they are part of our heritage and an essential contributor to the Maldivian economy. Yet, despite their importance, whale sharks face serious threats. Too often, they are struck by boat propellers, leaving them with deep wounds. Others are harmed when people touch them, damaging their sensitive skin. The rush to make money from trips in the short term too often overshadows the long-term need to care for the environment that sustains us.
The Maldives has long been proud to stand as one of the few nations in the world to completely ban shark fishing and shark exports, declaring itself a true sanctuary for sharks. Yet, as we celebrate International Whale Shark Day this year, we are faced with troubling news: the government has announced plans to reopen shark fisheries. Such a step would undo years of progress and put at risk both our marine environment and the sustainable livelihoods that depend on it.
While whale sharks may not be directly targeted by this policy, reopening shark fisheries sends a dangerous signal — that sharks, once celebrated and protected, are no longer valued. This shift could weaken the love and respect our communities have worked so hard to build, and it may create opportunities for exploitation. Protecting whale sharks, and all shark species, requires consistency and commitment. Any compromise threatens to erode the trust and care that has made the Maldives a global leader in marine conservation.
At Whale Shark Boutique Hotel, together with the citizens of Fenfushi, we call on the government to reconsider this decision. Let us keep the Maldives a shark-friendly nation, one that values its natural heritage over short-term gains. The whale shark is not just a tourist attraction — it is a living symbol of our ocean, our culture, and our responsibility to future generations.
On this International Whale Shark Day, let’s celebrate these magnificent animals not only by admiring them, but by protecting them.
