Comesay Aquarium
Export Restrictions

Export Prohibited Marine Species & Products from Maldives

Republic of Maldives

The following marine species and marine products are prohibited from export under the laws and regulations of the Republic of Maldives.

Green sea turtle swimming over a tropical coral reef — a marine reptile prohibited from export in the Maldives

Marine Mammals & Reptiles

  • WhalesInfraorder Cetacea
  • DolphinsFamily Delphinidae
  • Sea Turtles and All Turtle ProductsSuperfamily Chelonioidea
Reef shark gliding through clear blue ocean water — sharks are prohibited from export in the Maldives

Sharks & Rays

  • SharksSuperorder Selachimorpha
  • Whale SharkRhincodon typus
  • SkatesOrder Rajiformes
  • RaysSuperorder Batoidea
Rainbow-coloured parrotfish swimming over a coral reef — reef fish species prohibited from export in the Maldives

Reef Fish

  • Napoleon Wrasse / Humphead WrasseCheilinus undulatus
  • ParrotfishFamily Scaridae
  • Puffer FishFamily Tetraodontidae
Close-up of hard stony coral colonies on a Maldivian reef — corals prohibited from export

Corals

  • All Stony Corals — SPS & LPSOrder Scleractinia
  • Black CoralsOrder Antipatharia

Organ Pipe Coral (Tubipora musica) has historically been referenced as an exception to the stony coral prohibition. Any export of this species remains subject to applicable laws, regulations, and permit requirements of the Republic of Maldives.

Giant clam with vivid mantle colours embedded in a coral reef — shellfish prohibited from export in the Maldives

Shellfish & Invertebrates

  • Giant ClamsSubfamily Tridacninae
  • Lobsters and Lobster MeatFamily Palinuridae
  • Pearl OystersFamily Pteriidae
  • TrochusTrochus niloticus
  • Triton / Conch ShellCharonia tritonis
Dense school of silver yellow-striped bigeye scad swimming in blue water — regulated bait fish species restricted from export in the Maldives

Other Regulated Species

  • EelsOrder Anguilliformes
  • Bigeye Scad under 6 inchesSelar crumenophthalmus
  • All Types of Bait Fish used for pole & line tuna fisheryVarious species

Applicable Laws

  • Fisheries Act (Act No. 14/2019)
  • General Fisheries Regulation (Regulation No. R-75/2020) — Chapter 7 (prohibited species for harvesting, catching, taking, killing, export and import) and Schedule 3 (lists prohibited species and products)
  • Regulation on Administration of Penalties for Fisheries Related Offences (Regulation No. R-74/2020)

Penalties for Illegal Export

  • Administrative fines
  • Confiscation of specimens and products
  • Suspension or revocation of licences and permits
  • Additional enforcement measures as determined by competent authorities

Fines may reach up to MVR 2,000,000 depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for general guidance only. Comesay Aquarium strictly complies with the laws and regulations of the Republic of Maldives. We do not collect, purchase, trade, possess, or export any marine species or marine products that are prohibited under Maldivian legislation. We are committed to responsible, ethical, and sustainable marine life collection practices in accordance with the Fisheries Act (Act No. 14/2019) and the General Fisheries Regulation (Regulation No. R-75/2020). While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, export regulations, protected species lists, permit requirements, and applicable penalties may be amended from time to time.