Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim has stated that work is underway to amend the relevant regulations to permit spearfishing in Maldivian waters.
In a press conference held today, Minister Thoriq said that important work has been decided upon to further diversify the tourism sector. He noted that although spearfishing has been prohibited in the Maldives for 40 years, efforts will be made to permit it.
"Spearfishing will also be opened up within the month of April along with a regulation. That is also a completely new segment. For the past 40 years, spearfishing has been prohibited," he said.
Even though spearfishing is prohibited, catching fish using hand-held iron rods is not currently banned in the Maldives, and catching fish in that manner is a common practice.
In addition to spearfishing, the Minister stated that work is being done to draft the necessary regulations to launch technical recreational diving.
"We are looking to open up technical recreational diving within the upcoming month of April. Currently, (diving) is allowed to 30 meters; instead, once technical recreational diving is opened to 40 meters, the number of tourists coming to do that will increase," he said.
