The Maldive Islands played a crucial role in Darwin’s long argument about coral reef genesis. It’s nice to see them now play a crucial role in shark conservation by making the entire archipelago — roughly the area of Maine, but warmer and wetter — a shark sanctuary.

From Sharks receive Indian Ocean sanctuary in the Maldives – NatGeo News Watch

The Maldives has become the second nation to proclaim complete protection for sharks in its territorial waters.

The cabinet “decided to enforce the decision on banning shark hunting in the Maldives beginning from 1 March 2010. It was also decided that the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture would assist shark fishermen to find alternative livelihood,” the Maldives President’s Office declared in a news statement this week.