Long ago, when the Maldive islands were not dependent on imports with an accelerating economy, the island nation was not wealthy. This tourism treasure hidden deep in the Indian Ocean was not entirely poor. However, Maldivians worked tirelessly marketing and exporting their products overseas. Including types of fish, lacquer work, thatch mats and coir rope. Likewise, one of the rarest and the most expensive export in the Maldives was ambergris. 

Ambergris is a greyish black secretory product from the digestive tract of sperm whales. These rare floating jewels are exported to perfume industries across the world using musk-based perfume. Even though sperm whales are highly abundant across the Maldive seas, ambergris is very rarely discovered. In those times, fishermen and travellers who discover ambergris is a lottery winner. Many have become wealthy in the Maldives after being blessed with ambergris. 

Even though the value of the whale-vomit fluctuates, the prices set to sell these products are never set low. Likewise, in 2016 fishermen in Oman sold an 80 kg-heavy ambergris for over $34,000 per kilogram, garnering a full cheque of $2.5M. The luxurious outcome of ambergris has always been desired by all. Scamming with fake coral rocks and also whaling, a greedy culture grew as Maldivians and people across the world craved for the wealth. Strict policies and endangering whales have played a huge role in suppressing this culture, giving whales their independence to bless people with ambergris whenever they desire. 

Ambergris is still found in the Maldive seas by fisherman, but wealth is widely shared with the government. Recognizing ambergris as Maldivian natural treasure, the product is highly taxed if found within the Maldivian territory.