July 27, 2009

NOAA proposes measures to rebuild shark populations

Nine public hearings will be held on NASA’s proposal to rebuild shark populations from New England to the Gulf of Mexico, in August and September.

The proposal covers 3 shark species:

  1. It promotes the live release of shortfin mako sharks by commercial and recreational fishermen to help rebuild the species population in the Atlantic Ocean. The U.S. contributes less than 10% to the overall catch in the Atlantic. NOAA’s Fisheries Service has proposed to take action at the international level to develop measures to end overfishing of shortfin mako sharks.
  2. A stock assessment determined that reducing the annual mortality of blacknose sharks by approximately 78% across all fisheries could result in rebuilding by 2027.
  3. Finally, the proposal would also add smooth dogfish to the species managed by the NOAA’s Fisheries Service – requiring a federal fishing permit and proposes an annual commercial quota of 645.8 metric tons dressed weight.

Here is the info for the Charleston meeting:

9/16/09 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Charleston Main Library 68 Callhoun Street, Chas. SC 29401

For more information on the proposed action, the Federal Register notice, and for the list of public hearings, see http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms.

shortfin mako shark
(Credit: NOAA)
blacknose shark
(Credit: NOAA)
dogfish shark
(Credit: NOAA)
 

2 responses to 'NOAA proposes measures to rebuild shark populations'

  1. SARA ARNETTE - August 16th, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    Hi there,
    I am a commercial fisherman out of port canaveral and i have a petition to try to stop the ban of gillnet shark gear that NMFS is proposing. If this amendment goes thru as NMFS wants it is just a matter of time before all nets are banned. The shut off date for public comment is 09/25/2009 so i would like to have the signed petitions back by09/19/2009 if possible.

    Please Post for people to sign

    The mailing address for completed petitions:
    JIM BUSSE
    SEAFOOD ATLANTIC
    520 GLEN CHEEK DR
    CAPE CANAVERAL, FL 32920

    Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments
    321-750-5330
    arnettesb@gmail.com

    aLSO BELOW IS A LINK TO THE PETITION

    http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sharknets
    final draft.docx
    12K View as HTML Open as a Google document Download

  2. Charleston Native - August 16th, 2009 at 6:53 pm

    Good luck with your endeavor.

    Hopefully the NMFS will come to the right decision in the end.


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