Shark Stories with Ahmed Inah, Owner & Instructor, Pelagic Divers Fuvahmulah

I grew up in Fuvahmulah, and sharks were simply a natural part of my everyday life. Seeing them underwater was something I always found exciting rather than scary. As a child, I never saw sharks as these terrifying predators that so many movies portray them to be. Instead, I saw them as majestic creatures that belong here as much as we do. However, it was only when I became an adult that I truly understood just how misunderstood sharks are in the wider world. Learning about their crucial role in the marine ecosystem and the immense threats they face from human activities made me even more fascinated by them. Discovering that many shark species could go extinct within the next 50 years shocked me deeply. That became a turning point—it ignited a mission within me to help people understand these beautiful animals better and to challenge the negative perceptions surrounding them. I realised that if more people understood sharks the way I do, they would also fight to protect them.

To be honest, I feel that my team and I have achieved something truly remarkable over the past five years. Through strategic use of social media and continuous content creation, we managed to put Fuvahmulah on the global diving map. When we started, very few people even knew about the island, let alone its tiger sharks. Today, divers from around the world come here specifically to dive with them. Most tourists say they learned about Fuvahmulah through the videos, photos, and stories we shared. It’s a testament to our dedication and passion. One of the biggest milestones was when we helped bring a major Netflix show here. The premiere episode of All the Sharks was filmed entirely in Fuvahmulah, showcasing the beauty and thrill of diving with tiger sharks. Now, we confidently say that Fuvahmulah is the world’s number one destination for tiger shark diving—and it makes me extremely proud to have contributed to that transformation.

This opportunity was the result of years of relationship building within the diving and media industries. Over time, I developed strong friendships with people who work in international productions. From the very first conversation about All the Sharks, it was my goal to bring the premiere episode to Fuvahmulah. I knew it would have a huge impact not only on our island but on the Maldives as a whole. I worked closely with the producers from the earliest conceptual stages, ensuring that Fuvahmulah was included and that the uniqueness of our diving experiences was properly showcased. Being involved throughout the process—from planning to execution—allowed me to ensure the story remained authentic to what Fuvahmulah truly offers.

On a personal level, it is incredibly fulfilling to see our hard work being recognized on such a global platform. Professionally, it reinforces my belief that with commitment, vision, and teamwork, we do not need to wait for external help or rely solely on government initiatives to achieve big things. This project has proven that we can successfully bring and execute major international productions ourselves. Knowing that our efforts have put Fuvahmulah and the Maldives in front of millions of viewers worldwide is deeply rewarding. It’s not just about personal pride—it’s about the wider benefits to the community, the local economy, and future generations who will inherit these oceans. That thought makes me truly happy.

From a diving operations perspective, we faced no real challenges because our team is one of the most experienced shark diving teams globally, and everyone is proudly Maldivian. The real hurdles came in terms of logistics. Managing the transportation of four tons of equipment to such a remote island was a massive task. On top of that, coordinating over seventy crew members felt like running a reality show behind the scenes! Ensuring that every piece of equipment, every essential item, was available exactly when needed required meticulous planning. There were times when we realized a crucial item was missing, and we had to immediately send someone to Malé to buy it and return on the same day. Keeping everything running smoothly in such circumstances was probably the toughest part of the production.

The potential impact is enormous. The challenge now is how we, as a community and as an industry, leverage this exposure. It is crucial that we use this opportunity to grow marine tourism in a way that is sustainable and beneficial for everyone. If managed properly, it can create jobs, drive economic growth, and bring development to the island while ensuring the environment remains protected. But if we fail to manage it well, it could result in overcrowding, environmental degradation, and even harm to the sharks themselves. It’s a fine balance, and we must make decisions with a long-term vision.

I believe the documentary has at least sparked meaningful conversations about sharks. It showcased their grace, their personalities, and their role in the ecosystem rather than portraying them as mindless killers. Now, more people are fascinated by tiger sharks, which is a great starting point. My hope is that this fascination will lead to deeper understanding and respect. Tiger sharks are apex predators and play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine life. Without them, the entire ecosystem risks collapsing. If this documentary helps even a small number of viewers see sharks in a new light and advocate for their protection, then it has achieved something incredibly valuable.

Yes, after four years of dedicated work and consultations with all stakeholders, a comprehensive sustainable tourism management plan has been developed for Fuvahmulah. It was a collaborative effort to create guidelines that ensure tourism growth does not compromise the environment or quality of experience. However, at the moment, the plan is sitting on the desk of the City Council’s head of tourism, waiting for implementation. It has been months since its finalization, and I’m not sure why it’s taking so long. It is essential that we implement it without further delay to prevent potential problems that could arise from unregulated growth.

There was this funny moment during filming when I was in the water with the production teams. The rules were strict—we were not allowed to show them where the sharks were; they had to find and film them naturally. At one point, two beautiful thresher sharks swam right below one of the female contestants. In their internal filming challenge system, threshers were worth 40 points each. However, the girls were so focused on photographing a whitetip shark, which was worth only a few points, that he didn’t even notice the threshers right beneath him! Moments like that reminded me of how humbling and unpredictable nature can be, even for the best teams.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. I have received hundreds of calls and messages from people expressing their gratitude and pride. For many, seeing Fuvahmulah showcased to the world in such a powerful and beautiful way is deeply meaningful. It strengthens our community identity and gives everyone a sense of ownership and responsibility towards protecting what makes our island special.

Yes, I’m currently working on a project that, if successful, will bring the Maldives its biggest exposure yet. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal details right now, but what I can say is that this time, I will also be in front of the camera. Regarding responsible tourism growth, it is vital that we implement proper regulations and a strict code of conduct to protect both the environment and the local community. One issue we’re facing is the increasing dominance of foreign-owned businesses in Fuvahmulah’s tourism sector. These businesses are often driven purely by profit, without a long-term commitment to the wellbeing of the island or its people. I believe we need to limit this trend and encourage more local ownership and involvement. Only then can we ensure that tourism development benefits the community in a sustainable way while preserving our culture and environment.

To all the divers and ocean lovers out there, I would say—come visit us and meet our sharks. Each one has a name and a unique personality, and I guarantee you will fall in love with them just like we have. They will teach you that the ocean is not just a place to explore, but a home full of life, stories, and silent wisdom waiting to be understood.