Marine species banned from export (as of December 1996) in the Maldives include:
Black corals
Eels
Trochus shells
Bigeye scad under 6″
Triton shells
Skates and rays
Pearl Oysters
Dolphins
Lobsters and lobster meat
Whales
All types of corals (except organ pipe coral)
Parrot fish
Turtles
All types of bait fish
Puffer fish
Marine species prohibited from killing, catching and collection or extraction in the Maldivian waters include:
Dolphins {since 15 May 1993, Notice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}
Berried female lobsters and those less than 25cm in total length {since 15 May 1993,
Notice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}
Whales {since 15 May 1993, Notice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}
Giant clams {since 15 May 1993, Notice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}
Triton shells {since 15 May 1993, Notice No: FA-A1/29/93/14 (15-05-1993)}
Black coral {since 01 January 1995, Notice No: FA-A1/29/95/01 (01-01-1995)}
Napoleon Wrasse {since 24 June 1995, Notice No: FA-A1/29/95/39 (24-06-1995)}
Whale shark {since 24 June 1995, Notice No: FA-A1/29/95/39 (24-06-1995)}
Turtles {for 10 years since 24 June 1995 , Notice No: FA-A1/29/95/39 (24-06-1995)}
Under Fisheries Law 5/87, in September 1998 The Government banned fishing of sharks for a period of 10 years within a 12 mile distance from the following atolls;
1- Baa Atoll
2- Lhaviyani Atoll
3- Malé Atoll
4- North Ari Atoll
5- South Ari Atoll
6- Vaavu Atoll
7- Seenu Atoll
The following destructive fishing methods are also banned:
* Use of dynamite or explosives;
* Use of guns or any other such devises to catch fish;
* Use of chemicals to collect or catch fish;
* Use of scuba gear to collect sea cucumber and lobsters.