July 27, 2009
NOAA proposes measures to rebuild shark populations
The proposal covers 3 shark species:
- 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.
- A stock assessment determined that reducing the annual mortality of blacknose sharks by approximately 78% across all fisheries could result in rebuilding by 2027.
- 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.
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. 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.
(Credit: NOAA)
(Credit: NOAA)
(Credit: NOAA)
May 19, 2009
NOAA declares four fish stocks fully rebuilt
In today’s 2008 Status of U.S. Fisheries report to Congress, NOAA gave notice of four different fish being cleared from overfishing:
- Atlantic bluefish,
- Gulf of Mexico king mackerel, and
- two different stocks of monkfish in the Atlantic
While that of course is good news for long-range fishing and our marine habitat, four others appear to be overfished at the same time:
- thorny skate,
- Atlantic blacknose shark, and
- Atlantic shortfin mako shark
These were added to the list of those being fished unsustainably just this year, and a fourth stock, Gulf of Mexico pink shrimp, was also listed as subject to overfishing but it’s still being reviewed.
With these fish being replenished, it proves NOAA officials are doing the best they can for all of us – the fish, the fisherman, and all my fellow seafood lovers out there.
