When I first heard about the proposal to reopen the deep-sea gulper shark fishery in the Maldives, I knew I couldn’t stay silent. Having spent years illustrating and studying these incredible animals, I’ve seen how vital they are to healthy oceans — and how fragile their populations have become.

The #SaveTheSanctuary campaign by BLUE Marine Foundation called on artists, scientists, divers, and ocean lovers to defend the Maldives’ Shark Sanctuary — one of the most celebrated marine protections in the world. Reopening gulper shark fishing would devastate not only these slow-reproducing species but also the reefs, tourism, and livelihoods that depend on them.

To help raise awareness, I created a gulper shark painting highlighting the map of the Maldives, I talked about the history of the gulper shark fishery collapse in the 1980s and 1990s — a stark reminder of what happens when exploitation outpaces recovery - but also highlighted the voices of community members. Through reels, art, and outreach, I joined countless others in urging decision-makers to protect the sanctuary and the future of Maldivian waters.

If you want to support the campaign, please learn more here.