D1. Gender *

Male

Female

Other / Prefer not to say

D2. Age *

D3. Region / Place of Residence *

Malé City / Greater Malé

North Atolls

Central Atolls

South Atolls

Prefer not to say

D4. Type of Area *

Urban (e.g., Malé, Addu City)

Rural / Atoll island

Prefer not to say

D5. Education level *

No formal schooling

Primary school (up to grade 5)

Secondary school (grade 6–10)

Higher secondary (grade 11–12)

University / College / Professional degree

Prefer not to say

D6. Employment status *

Employed full-time (government or private)

Employed part-time

Self-employed / business owner

Homemaker

Student

Retired

Unemployed, looking for work

Prefer not to say

D7. Citizenship *

Maldivian citizen

Non-Maldivian (foreign resident)

Prefer not to say

The Maldives is celebrated globally for its 2010 decision to declare a nationwide shark sanctuary, a move that positioned the country as a leader in ocean stewardship.

Q1: Did you know that the Maldives is currently one of just seventeen shark sanctuaries in the world, where shark fishing is prohibited? *

Fully aware

Somewhat aware

Have heard of it but don’t know much

Not aware at all

No opinion / Don’t know

Q2. Sharks are vital to the Maldives’ marine life, tourism and jobs. How concerned are you that new regulations allowing shark fishing could negatively impact the marine environment and the economy? *

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned

Not very concerned

Not at all concerned

No opinion

Q3. Whose primary responsibility do you think it is to protect and save vulnerable species such as sharks in the Maldives? Please select all that apply by order of importance. *

National government

Non-government organisations (environmental and conservation agencies)

Tourism industry

Citizens

Other