NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule to consider prohibiting the commercial and recreational retention of oceanic whitetip sharks in U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, and all hammerhead sharks in the large coastal shark (LCS) complex (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead sharks) in the U.S. Caribbean region.
What will it do?
Under the proposed rule, NOAA Fisheries would add oceanic whitetip sharks to the prohibited shark species group (effective in U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea) and prohibit the commercial and recreational retention of LCS hammerhead sharks (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead sharks) in the U.S. Caribbean region.
A full description of the proposed action can be found in the proposed rule and supporting Draft Environmental Assessment.
Who is affected?
This action could affect:
- All commercial and recreational HMS permit holders, and
- Any dealers who buy or sell Atlantic sharks.
Public Hearing
A webinar for this rulemaking will take place on April 25, 2023. Information for registering and accessing the webinar can be found on the NOAA Fisheries website.
Request for Comments
NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments specifically on adding oceanic whitetip sharks to the prohibited shark species group and prohibiting the commercial and recreational retention of LCS hammerhead sharks in the U.S. Caribbean region.
Submit Comments by May 22, 2023:
Submit written comments to the Federal eRulemaking Portal (docket ID: NOAA-NMFS-2023-0025). All comments received are a part of the public record.
For further information, contact Ann Williamson, 301-427-8503.
