Domestic Shark Management - Commercial Landings Update

November 15, 2004

Release from:
NOAA

NOAA Fisheries manages sharks in the Atlantic. Called the Atlantic shark fishery, NOAA Fisheries controls the harvesting of shark species for both domestic commercial and recreational harvested sharks in the western Atlantic. As part of the management measures to help ensure sustainable harvest levels, shark dealers are required to submit shark landing data to NOAA Fisheries on a bi-monthly basis so the agency can monitor how much is being harvested and help fishermen keep within the established quotas for sustaining the Atlantic shark fishery. Any over or under harvests are then subtracted or added to the quota for the following fishing year to promote a sustainable harvest in the fishery.

To view the most recent landings update or to find out more about management of sharks or other highly migratory species (HMS), please visit our HMS Management Division webpage at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms or contact Karyl.Brewster-Geisz@noaa.gov or (301) 713-2347.