The Maldivian government’s effort to protect whale sharks was conceived as another step towards being friendly to the environment. The cabinet has stated the plans to impart designation to three whale shark habitats in the Maldives as protected areas.

The areas of Baa atoll Hanifaru, Baa atoll An’gafaru and Alif Dhaal atoll Maamigili were allocated by the Cabinet members as protected areas for observing World Environment Day and World Ocean Day on the 5th and 8th of June. The moratorium on reef shark fishing were extended by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agricultures for covering the whole of the Maldives as part of the attempt of a crusade against both reef and oceanic shark hunting. The authorities further stated that the prime objective of the project was to protect the areas’ mega fauna, in other words whale sharks.
 
The areas that are to be protected were to be divided into various zones, each zone taking up different activities. The activities of water sports like that of scuba diving and snorkeling would be permitted. There will be an imposition of a certain set of guidelines instructing the wiles of managing an escape if one encounters whale sharks. It was further stated that boats would be imposed with speed limits in certain areas. The entire decision to protect the whale sharks received a very positive reaction from the people.

The attempt to protect whale sharks has a vivid "global significance." Moreover, the government authorities revealed the fact that tourism is also likely to receive a boost with the protection of whale sharks. It has been estimated that in the recent days the whale shark excursions fetch US$10 million annually.