NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule to establish a flexible shortfin mako shark retention limit with a default limit of zero in commercial and recreational highly migratory species (HMS) fisheries.
What will it do?
Under the proposed rule, NOAA Fisheries would establish a flexible shortfin mako shark retention limit with a default limit of zero in commercial and recreational HMS fisheries, to implement the 2021 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) recommendation. NOAA Fisheries proposes to leave the default limit of zero in place unless and until changed. During the fishing year, NOAA Fisheries could increase the shortfin mako shark retention limit from the default, or subsequently decrease the retention limit, for the commercial fishery, the recreational fishery, or both, based on regulatory criteria and retention allowed by ICCAT.
A full description of the proposed action can be found in the proposed rule and supporting Environmental Assessment.
Who is affected?
- Any commercial fishermen with HMS permits using pelagic longline, bottom longline, or gillnet gear.
- Any recreational fishermen who target or catch shortfin mako sharks.
- Any dealers who buy or sell sharks or shark products.
Public Hearing
A public webinar for this rulemaking will take place on April 27, 2022. Information for registering and accessing the webinar can be found on the NOAA Fisheries website.
Submit Comments by May 11, 2022
Submit written comments to the Federal eRulemaking Portal (docket ID: NOAA-NMFS-2022-0015). All comments received are a part of the public record.
For more information, contact Carrie Soltanoff, carrie.soltanoff@noaa.gov, (301) 427-8503.
